It Is God Who Works in You
My father and I used to go and cut wood together. We had a chain saw but it was a David-Bradley and so old that it often broke down. We also carried a two-person crosscut saw. To tell you how long ago this was, my dad would give me a quarter and let me walk to a nearby store to get something to drink. I could buy two beverages and two candy bars for that quarter and still take home a nickel in change. We often had to use the crosscut saw most of the day, and my dad would say, “Let the saw do the work” when I would push too hard.
Paul says in Philippians 2:13, “It is God who works in you.” Paul is saying let God do the work of changing us. C.S. Lewis wrote that growth is much more than reading what Christ taught and carrying it out. Lewis explained, “A real person, Christ…is doing things to you…turning you into a new little Christ, a being which…shares His power, joy, knowledge and eternity.” Jude 1:21 says, “Keep yourselves in God’s love,” reminding yourself all day long that you are His. Lewis says that God is gradually changing you.
Today’s scripture begins (v. 12) building on the teaching found in verses 1-11. We are to follow Jesus’ humility, selfless and sacrificial example. Paul isn’t saying that we are to work for our salvation, for our salvation is a gift from God. Rather, Paul is reminding us of our responsibility as believers in Jesus. Now that we’re saved, we are to “work hard to show the results of our salvation” (Philippians 2:12). Verse 15 says we are to show the world we’re “blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”
The next time you cut wood remember to “let the saw do the work.” The next time you are out in the world remember to “keep yourself in God’s love,” reminding yourself all day long that you are His. Lewis reminds us that God is gradually changing us.
Prayer – Almighty God, you are changing my heart and actions to make me more like Jesus. Give me a humble attitude to learn from you. Amen.
Philippians 2:13 – “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Olivia Krueger, Megan O’Hanlon, Kenny Krosky & Bailey Alexander, courtesy of Unsplash
