“GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU!”

Philippians 2:12-13 

“12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for HIS GOOD PLEASURE.”

Have you ever been frustrated by a feeling of defeat when sin keeps on revealing itself in your life?  Knowing that GOD HIMSELF “abides” (1 John 4:16) in us, we should rest assured that “GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU”, both to will and to work for HIS GOOD PLEASURE” is doing what HE SEES fit through us.  HE spoke CREATION into existence, and raised JESUS from the dead, and HE doesn’t NEED us to do anything!

On the contrary, we are privileged to be used Glorify HIS Kingdom, but we have to understand that we may be caused to SUFFER in doing so.  Acts 9:15-16 JESUS tells Ananias “..."Go, for he is a CHOSEN INSTRUMENT of mine to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must SUFFER FOR THE SAKE OF MY NAME."  Notice the Saul/Paul wasn’t promised a BMW, nor a huge earthly estate, nor the finest “this world” has to offer!  Instead Paul was PROMISED TO SUFFER FOR MY NAMES’ SAKE!  

In John 16:33 IT IS WRITTEN “I (JESUS) have said these things to you, that in ME you may have peace. In THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION. But take heart; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD."  JESUS didn’t say HE had overcome the world so we WOULDN’T have tribulations!  No, HE promised to be with us is spite of our troubles.  

ALL of the disciples were martyred for the cause of CHRIST.  And we expect to escape trials and tribulations because “we are chosen”?  Wasn’t Paul CHOSEN?  Yes, but he was CHOSEN to SUFFER FOR MY NAMES’ SAKE!  When GOD took on flesh and came to earth, HE didn’t come in grandeur and royalty.  HE suffered through poverty and rejection HIS entire life, all for me!  Maybe we need to adjust our expectations and come to grips with the fact that when “GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU”, it might be through suffering and tribulations???