Paul tells us to work out our own salvation, but then turns
right around in the very next verse and reminds us that it is God who gives us
both the power and the desire to obey Him. With Christ within us, He does all
things through us with His strength (Philippians 4:11-13). He
gives power to the weak, and renews our strength until we rise up like eagles
on the wind of His Spirit (Ephesians 6:10; Isaiah 40:29, 31). When
our soul – our mind, will and emotions – melts from the heat of trials, God
strengthens us with His Word (Psalm 119:28).
Spiritual pride is a source of
haughtiness and self-confidence. We inflate with self-importance and brag
foolishly about our accomplishments. On the other hand, the humble boast in the
Lord, realizing that everything they produce is the direct result of the
Spirit’s direction and provision in their life (Psalm 34:2). They give God praise and adoration all
day long for every blessing and even the trials, which He provides (Psalm 44:8; James 1:2-12). When other people praise the humble, they appreciate the
encouragement, but they give all the glory to God (Proverbs 27:1-2).
We may lose a battle, but Jesus
already won the war on Calvary’s cross. We may have momentary failings, but we
have no permanent failures. Belittling our self is always easy, yet has no
positive results (1 John 3:20). God teaches us the secret of contentment in any
situation. We work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, by realizing
that God works in us, and instead of us, as He births within us with the
desire, ability, power and strength to walk by His Spirit’s direction in the
exact center of God’s will (Philippians
4:12-13).
Those with Godly self-worth
freely admit to our faults and our negative choices. We realize that blaming
someone else is useless and stunts our spiritual progress. We will never grow
in Christ if we do not take responsibility for our own actions. God gives us
all of the talents and abilities we need to live as good stewards for His
glory. He wants us to realize our limitations, however, and to volunteer to
meet only those needs for which His Spirit directs us. He only equips us for
the activities He wants to accomplish through us.
There is no more condemnation
in the life of an authentic Christian Believer (Romans 8:1-2). We merely need to repent of
our mistakes and believe that He is the God who rewards everyone who diligently
seeks Him (Hebrews 11:6). God has mercy on us according to His unfailing love and
endless compassion. He blots out our transgressions, washes away our iniquities
and cleanses us from all of our sins (Psalm
51:1-2). This gives us true Godly self-worth.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for
exchanging Your righteousness for our sins, and Your holiness for our ungodly
thoughts and behavior. Occasionally, we may continue to do bad things, but that
does not mean we are bad people. You faithfully forgive every sin we confess
and sanctify us from any ungodly behavior (1 John 1:9-10). As long as we walk by Your
Spirit’s direction throughout our day, we will accomplish the works You called
us to do.
Thought for the Day:
God’s Spirit dispells our
feelings of defeat and doubt, and gives us the faith to move mountains. –
Matthew 17:20