Balancing Our Walk
By John Woodward
January 11, 1999
Our daughters enjoyed some gymnastics in elementary school. The balance beam looked pretty easy from a distance, but when one tried to walk, turn and tumble on that narrow beam, balance was a real challenge! No wonder the mats were around it!
Our perspective on the dynamic of abundant Christian living requires balance too. What is OUR part? What part does GOD have? Philippians 2:12,13 describes both parts in balance: "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." Paul exhorted the Philippians to express their faith by spiritual growth. He
also balanced this responsibility with the assurance that "it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
Let's focus on verse 13.
Notice that the PRESENCE of God is assured to the true believer in Christ. "For it is God who works IN YOU. . .". This refers to the personal sealing by the Holy Spirit when we become children of God. "In Him (Christ) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." (Eph 1:12,13). Thankfully this seal is placed upon the believer by the authority of the Captain of our Salvation. "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Eph 4:30). The Day of Redemption anticipates Christ's Second Coming when our redeemed soul/ spirit will be blessed with a glorified body (Rom 8:23).
Notice also the assurance of the POWER of God. "It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." In the sixth century B.C., the prophet Zechariah assured the remnant who had returned to Israel from Babylonian captivity that God would provide the power to rebuild the temple. "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" ' " (Zech 4:6,7). And though Paul was imprisoned and in danger of martyrdom, he could affirm, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13).
How wonderful that the Spirit of God can incline our heart to DESIRE God's will. This is a blessing because God's will is "good, acceptable and perfect" (Rom 12:2). Instead of longing to do what's right without adequate strength to do it, God empowers us to WORK according to His good pleasure. As we walk in the Spirit with God's grace as our supply, we discover that "His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3). Do we feel as though they ARE are burden? Perhaps we're taking on to our plate more that God intends, or we are trying to do it in our own resources. Or could it be that our religious service is an effort to please God, instead of a grateful response to the One who has "accepted us in the Beloved One" (Eph 1:6)?
Evan Hopkins wrote of the joy of having God's presence in our lives. "It is GOD who is working in you. It is not a mere religious influence, but a person--the Lord Himself. He is IN YOU. He has come into the center of your being and taken possession of you, both to will and to work. This does not mean that you cease to exist, or that your personality is at an end. No, you are just the same responsible person you always were. But you give way to Him who is the true owner of your whole being. He now takes the place you yourself once occupied. YOU were once the center, but Christ is now your Center, and you can say, 'He liveth in ME'. The 'I' or 'me' still exists, but the living Lord is in the center of 'me'. Let that be true of us, and we can see how the power needed for the working is sufficient and continuous, because it is not ours, but His." (Broken Bread, Dec 6).
Let's keep our Christian walk in balance--fulfilling our responsibilities with God's presence to prompt, guide, and empower us!
Our Father, We thank You for sealing us with Your Holy Spirit unto the Day of Redemption. We depend upon Your spiritual ministry in our hearts. Incline us to desire Your best as we trust Your power to accomplish Your work. In Christ's mighty name, amen.
JBW
January 11, 1999 Vol. 2 # 2
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The purpose of Grace Notes is to highlight the dynamics of abundant living as summarized in Galatians 2:20. Back issues are available at the Web site. Please pray for God's blessing on these articles. Your comments are welcome.
Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward,
Grace Fellowship International.
President of GFI - Dr. Charles Solomon,
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 USA. Phone: 865-429-0450.
http://www.GraceFellowshipIntl.com
International tracts: http://www.SolomoNet.net
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Balancing Our Walk 2