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Shining as Stars

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence-but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, 16 as you hold out the word of life- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

 

This message, written during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome, is very straightforward as he warns against pride and self-seeking. However, there is something here that may give you pause.

If we took verse 12 out of context and concentrated on the final portion of that verse, “...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” what would it mean to you? For example, if you were a new Christian and the wonderful mentor that had been helping you navigate this deeper walk suddenly was no longer there for you, would you be secure in moving ahead? We would know how the Disciples felt when Jesus was no longer there.

Thankfully, verse 13 tells us, “...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose,” but how does that happen? It took the coming of the Holy Spirit to truly begin to move the disciples forward by letting go of self and allowing the beauty of Jesus fill them. That's what we have to do.

Let's not forget that our merciful, faithful God is behind our Salvation and has been helping us toward it our whole lives long. A poem by Francis J. Thompson, “The Hound of Heaven,” portrays just that, God pursuing man. You may think you chose Him, but it is the other way around. The poem is difficult, but worth meditating upon.

How patient and persistent is our loving Father God! Even though we try to avoid Him in so many ways, He continues the pursuit, leading us to the beautiful destination of oneness with Him. All of the experiences of our lives prepare us for this, as the Holy Spirit guides us in exchanging our selfish selves for the person God is calling us to be.

Verse 15 tells us plainly what this life is about as God works in and through us, enabling us to “shine like stars in the universe” bringing light where there is darkness.

Salvation is not something that we accomplish by ourselves, but it takes our cooperation to happen. We must choose to read the Word, so that we know what kind of living pleases God, then we must live it out, thereby “working out our salvation”. We are not earning salvation, for it is God's gift to us, but by living the life He calls us to live, we give Him great joy, as the Philippians did Paul.

 

Heavenly Father, may our purpose in life be found in You, not in ourselves, “to glorify You and enjoy you forever.”

 

Sarah (Sally) L. Messmer

star19mess@gmail.com

 

Prayer Concern - That each of us may give the time to God that we might truly know Him.