As we were enjoying our time together one morning having breakfast, Stan mentioned he had been talking with a neighbor about how God will work in and through us if we will only get out of His way and let Him do what pleases Him. I wasn’t certain where he was going with this, so I asked,”What’d you and your neighbor talk about?”
“Fear and trembling,” He replied with a smile.
“Fear and trembling? What is it about God that scares you so much that you tremble?”
“Oh, it’s not being scared or afraid,” Stan replied, “It’s about awe and wonder.”
“Awe and wonder? Over what?”
“That God wants to work in and through us for His good pleasure,” Stan replied. “But it doesn’t just happen all by itself. We have to recognize who’s to work and who’s not.”
“Who’s to work and who’s not?”
“Yeah,” Stan replied. “In the first place, as you know, we can’t work our way to heaven. Secondly, as the salvation that’s been worked in by Jesus’s finished work on the cross is worked out in our lives, we have to surrender to the One who’s really doing that work.”
“The One who’s really doing the work? You mean God?”
“That’s it,” Stan said with a smile. “Surrender and get out of His way so He can do what pleases Him!”
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Bible verses to consider:
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13.
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28.
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26.
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.. Hebrews 11:6.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you for the salvation I couldn’t do on my own. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I attempt to do things for you and your kingdom on my own power, rather than truly denying self and getting out of your way so you can do in and through me what pleases you. Help me follow every step of your lead in surrendering and denying self so you can work in and through me to your good pleasure. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Do you have salvation to work out because you’ve accepted God’s provision of life eternally with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with surrendering so God can work in and through your life for His good pleasure? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to not only have salvation to work out, but how to get out of His way so He can work in and through you for His good pleasure? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?