A new day. Today if you are a follower of Christ you get all the new opportunities of this new day. Opportunities abound – both to live for the honor and glory of God or to live for self-glory, with selfish ambition, and selfishly. What a choice! Right?
Please allow me to give you a word of encouragement and motivation as you begin this new day and week.
Personal Responsibility with God’s Help
The Apostle Paul helps us think through this. He writes:
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.(Philippians 2:12-13)
Notice what Paul does here. He challenges you to do something while letting you know God is helping you do it. Let me explain.
You Are Responsible Today
Paul challenges you and me to work out our salvation. This does not mean work for our salvation; instead, he tells us to work it out. That is, to live in light of being saved. We learn to live like a “saved” person. Therefore, we have a responsibility to change our attitude, thinking, motivations, and conduct to reflect the significance of our salvation. Or, as Paul says earlier in this book, live worthy of the Gospel. This is our responsibility.
You Are Not Alone
Then Paul gives us the good news. God is the one who does two things for us: first, He gives us the desire to change, and second, He provides us the ability to change. God is working in you. You do not do this alone. If you are dissatisfied with your walk with God, at some level, that is God using your dissatisfaction to motivate you. Wherever you have already changed, that is also God.
Determination with Gratitude
As you face this new day and new week, do so with determination and gratitude.
Determination to change for the glory of God – determination to do your part
Gratitude for the work of God in you – gratitude for the motivation, energy, discernment, and ability to change
Let’s go face our day in light of this great truth!
Image CreditDavid Bortnik
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