Trust & Obey

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(12) …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 in order to fulfill his good purpose.’ (Philippians 2:12-13)

In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Philippi, he gives them instructions on how to live a ‘Gospel-inspired’ life.  This is different from a ‘purpose-driven’ doctrine espoused by some modern progressives in the ‘neo-Christian’ movement of today; a Gospel-inspired life is one where the Christian works to obey God’s Word as written, without adding societal demands or overarching concerns into His instructions.  We know that our efforts to provide the Gospel, in both active (directly talking to people about their relationship with Christ, or lack of) and passive (wearing a Tap Me! shirt, sharing Gospel tracts, giving someone a Bible) actions can be scary; the possibility (and reality) of rejection, humiliation, and various degrees of persecution exists. ‘Rolling eyeballs’ to death are at the ends of that spectrum. 

However, while this fear of man is realistic, Paul is also addressing the fear coming from the responsibility each disciple has in doing the Lord’s work in obedience to Him, to do His Will and act accordingly to His purpose.  It is a great responsibility for the Christian to do as the Lord commands, and while not everyone will go on a mission trip, preach a sermon, or vacuum the Fellowship Hall (all are equally important), all of us have the responsibility to share the Word of the Lord with those in our ‘circle of influence’ – family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances. 

As the old hymn says, ‘Trust and obey’.  Trust the Lord in the instructions He has provided us, through His Word or through the Spirit, and obey those instructions.  Remember God has your back!