dUciplineof(earning
Salvation is the supreme gift of a loving Cod. Living the Christian life takes work! Ephesians 2:8 and 9, makes it clear that we cannot earn our salvation, but the Bible does teach that progress comes in the Christian life as we apply ourselves to the work at hand. Let me underscore this simple fact and make an application to daily living. Christ saves and strengthens the Christian, and the Holy Spirit ministers in a dozen ways, but we conveniently forget that we play a key role in our development. The Epistles are filled with commands to Christians describing problems that occur when discipline and diligence are absent. Christians at Corinth took their task lightly and paid the price in mediocrity and judgment from God. Paul consistently urges Christians to apply themselves that they might be like Christ. Philippians Chapter Four is one of many passages emphasiz ing this theme. Verse Five tells us to be reasonable and fair, or moderate as some translations have it. It takes the grace of Cod and the will of man to be reasonable and fair when others are not! Our "human" nature causes us to strike back when we are hurt. Paul's request is, indeed, a large order! From Verse One to the capstone of the passage in Verse Thirteen, Paul is urging us to apply ourselves that Cod's peace may be ours in the fullest sense. Verse Eleven is outstanding! Paul says he has "learned" to be con- Page 4
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker