Philippians 2:13


For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose ~ Philippians 2:13

This is called, “working out our salvation.” I do not mean we work to be saved, no, that was done for us on the cross, but it means that we need daily to make an effort, we need to obey. God leads us to His will, but we must do the work of following His will. We cannot sit patiently still and wait for Him to powerfully accomplish in us what He will, for God will not force us, or compel us against our will. God works in us to sanctify us, to help us overcome our spiritual enemies and our sins, but we too have to have our eyes looking toward the One who saved us for His example. We were created to do good works, we are new creatures fitted now to do acts of righteousness, and holiness. God will implant into our soul principles of action, faith and love, grace and strength that is above what is naturally ours. But all this is inactive without our will. We are filled with the Holy Spirit, but we can shut down the works of the Holy Spirit within us. We can shut Him out. God makes in us a new heart, and we in turn are commanded to make a new heart. It is a conscious turning from that which was to that which will be in Christ.
Devotion by Pastor Julia

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