For His Good Pleasure

"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 (NKJV)

There is a reverence, humility, and a soberness that washes over the Christian as they receive the precious gift of salvation.  There is a sense of duty to live a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called knowing that the very thing that has been entrusted to us is that which is most precious.  Why is salvation precious?  Why is of great value?  Because it has been bought with the blood of the Father’s one and only Son.  A drop of His blood is worth more than all the precious metals and gems of the earth combined.  Our salvation has come at a great price.  It is with this in mind that we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling not wanting to trample the grace of God.
 But God has not left us alone in this task.  When we gave our lives to the Lord, the blood of Jesus Christ washed our sins away and we are now clothed with His righteousness.  Let us remember that our lives are His and not our own.  God is constantly and continually working in us His will to do all things according to His good pleasure.

“Here I raise mine Ebenezer—
hither by Thy help I’m come;
and I hope by Thy good pleasure
safely to arrive at home.”
 - Hymn “Come, Thou Fount”

May you rest in the fact that God is working IN you and that He will also work THROUGH you according to His will and good pleasure.

Anchored in Christ,
Aaron R. Force