By George Slover    |    Visit

"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; (Philippians 2:12)

Paul commends the brethren for their past obedience and urges them to allow past victories to be an incentive to continue.  He urges them not to work to please earthly teachers, but for the approval of the Heavenly Father.

He exhorts them to work out their salvation.  “Salvation” means safety from danger and harm.  In scripture, it means the safety of the soul from sin and eternal condemnation.  Salvation is primarily a work of God, but it requires the faith and cooperation of man.  It should be one’s chief work and concern.  One must keep walking in the light (I John 1:7), and must keep themselves in the love of God. (Jude 21)

The Lord commands his children to “strive” (Luke 13:24), to “press” (Philippians 3:13), and to “give diligence” (II Peter 1:5).  To “work out” or to carry to completion is a personal endeavor.  No other person can do this for you.  There is the need of perseverance to complete the task.

Finally, Paul says work it out with “fear and trembling”.  Fear or reverence is an essential element in holy living.  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; (1 Peter 1:17)  One’s service to God is to be with reverence and godly fear. (Hebrews 12:28)  Hallowed be thy name must the posture of every prayer (Matthew 6:9) Too much is at stake to take this task lightly.

Our salvation is not yet accomplished.  Hopefully, it is nearer than when we first believed.  As long as sin still haunts us, temptations still attack us, and troubles still threaten us, our work is not finished.  The perfecting of our soul is a life-long process.  We must carry on what God has begun!

By George Slover

because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the LORD. 
(2 Chronicles 34:27)
 
King Josiah was a great man.  He ruled the nation of Judah several hundred years before the time of Christ.  He inherited the throne at the young age of eight.  This remarkable character, at age sixteen, sought the God of his father David.  (II Chronicles 34:3)  Instead of following the footsteps of a wicked father and grandfather, he devoted himself to pleasing Jehovah God.
 
At age twenty-six Josiah commissioned his leaders to repair the temple.  In the process of this work, a copy of the book of the law of Moses was found, (II Chronicles 34:14, 18) and it was read before the king.  Josiah, when he heard these words, tore his clothes (II Chronicles 34:19) and commanded the high priest to inquire of the Lord concerning the meaning of the message.  Jehovah’s answer was a promise to destroy Judah for her wickedness, but to preserve Josiah because of his tender heart.
 
“Tenderness of heart” means to be soft, yielding, and easily touched.  The condition of King Josiah’s heart is manifested by his willingness to hear God’s word.  Josiah believes it, acknowledging it to be a message from God.  He reverently fears it as he allows it to sink into his soul.  He does not resist it or try to drown it out.  With urgency, he makes full inquiry into its import.  He diligently guides himself by its commands.  Without quibble, he calls all others to enter into a covenant with God.
 
We must not neglect the simple, faithful example of Josiah as the way to receive God’s will!  Give to God your tender heart!
 
By George Slover

when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” (2 Timothy 2:5

The tone of Paul’s second letter to Timothy is urgent. Paul knows he is about to die. Timothy's charge at Ephesus will have its own challenges. Enemies of Christ will seek to unravel this young evangelist. Paul wants to remind Timothy of the tools that will aid him in standing fast.

A reminder of former victories can help us to survive the dark times. The lessons of faith of Timothy's childhood and past conquests would provide a strong foundation for future challenges. So, while the clouds of persecution and false teaching surround him, Paul calls upon Timothy to remember the past.

There is no greater need for the Christian during perilous times than a strong faith. Fortunately, Timothy's faith is already worthy of commendation. Timothy's faith is “unfeigned”, thus genuine or real. He has already proven himself to be true in the midst of conflict. He trusts in the risen Christ, thus he is willing to suffer any loss.

Timothy's faith first dwelt in his grandmother and mother. Here we see the advantage of children instructed by godly parents. The tremendous influence of godly mothers is witnessed in other leaders like Moses. (Hebrews 11:23-27)  Timothy had been taught the Scriptures from childhood. (2 Timothy 3:15)  Hopefully, those important lessons learned under the influence of Lois and Eunice will serve him well when his conviction wants to waver under the burdens.

Thus, in times of weakness when fatigue leads to burn out, perhaps we can draw upon the strength from the past. When the pain of persecution threatens us to compromise, let us remember our roots, and lean upon God's unchanging word.

By George Slover

 

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.”  (Psalms 51:17)

God’s people are to offer sacrifices to Him. Peter says that they can “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. (1 Peter 2:5) Their gifts to God include ministering to others, worshiping God, and holy living.

Certainly, the sinner can make no atonement for sin. He has no hope without the mercy of God. Under Moses’ law, the bulls and goats that were offered as an atonement for sin did not fully satisfy the justice of God nor the conscience of man.  Thus, God’s wrath was only fully appeased with the sacrifice of Christ. (see Hebrews 9:12-14) Through the death of Christ, the penitent sinner is purified so that he can offer acceptable gifts to God. (Titus 2:11-14)

The Bible teaches that our gifts to God must be offered with a broken and contrite heart. One glorifies God by recognizing God‘s infinite holiness. While sin may be against one's neighbor, ultimately one’s sin is against God.

The broken and contrite heart implies that one has surrendered themselves fully to God. Only God can fully pardon and renew the spirit. God delights in our humility, because then and only then can he mold us into what he wants us to be.

However, a second, but related attitude must be coupled with a broken heart before the sacrifice is accepted by God. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul the king of Israel was commanded by God to “go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”(1 Samuel 15:3) Instead, of heeding the voice of God, Saul spared the sheep and oxen and lambs to offer as a sacrifice to God. (see 1 Samuel 15:9,15) God was displeased with Saul.

When Samuel the prophet confronted Saul about the matter, he related an important principle. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams”.(1 Samuel 15:22) To please God the sacrifice must be coupled with the heart of submission and obedience. God is not pleased with gifts that he has not authorized.

Sacrifices that God has not approved are viewed as rebellion. In such actions, one makes himself a worshiper of self rather than God.  Such sacrifices focus on pleasing the carnal person rather than on the Lord. Such sacrifices dishonor the Lord who is holy and good.

When one comes to the altar with gifts to God, first they must approach God with gratitude, for such offerings are only accepted because of God‘s mercy. And second, one must fully yield to God by giving him only what he approves.

By George Slover