Philippians 2:13 is our foundational text at Work In God for how and why we operate in faith to serve God.
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13 NKJV
It is in our very nature to ask how. It becomes our default response and speaks to our immediate desire to have all the information. How will I get there? How will this work? How can I do this? For Believers God has already answered that question- It is God who is working in us. We do not need to know the full plan just that God is the master plan maker. In GOd we trust and put our faith to see us through this work.
We are not basing these ideas off of our own flesh (selfish thoughts and desires), it’s not a random call to action that holds no foundation or authority. It is God moving in us, working in us, anointing us to serve Him and build up the Kingdom of God. And as we serve Him and build, we are reminded we are called to be like Christ in our actions, mannerisms and demeanor. Being a follower of Christ, is not a self-serving act, we do not Work In God for our own gain but for the Kingdom, the greater good – For God who is the greatest good, Holy forever.
Think of it as listening to a good parent. Your mom may tell you to do something, but she can’t force you. Oftentimes when you listen to your parents and take their advice, guidance and instruction your situation improves. It’s the same with God, except God is speaking and guiding not from a place of personal lived experience as our Parents do but from a place of complete knowledge, truth and perfect love. God created the world, He created our hearts, He knows exactly what will occur and how. In R.E we would call it Omniscient, Omnipotent. We simply have to trust Him, have faith and be obedient.
Despite God, being the most equipped to lead us, He is not a dictator. God does not force us into anything, He has given us free will to choose. So, another aspect of God working in us, is to also help us to make the right decision. ‘You can bring a horse to water but you can’t make it drink’. God is leading us to the living water but He can’t make us drink it. We have to willingly want to serve God, to choose God daily and in all things. Not just accepting God in one small part of our lives and saying “Don’t worry God, I can handle the rest from here”. But it’s a full and complete sacrifice, God doesn’t do half measures.
We must be humble enough to allow God full control over our circumstances, surroundings and creativity. We cannot say “Lord, fix this”or “Jesus, take the wheel” but we are still in the driver’s seat, continually working, stressing, constantly changing and trying to correct something that God is already crafting. God can only provide what is in His Good Will – He cannot go against Himself, His Commandments or His Teachings. If we want something, we need to first come to God and ask if it is in His Will, if the outcome will be good not only for us but for the wider Kingdom. So, the responsibility falls upon us to study, learn and ask according to who God is and we will be amazed by His Glory.
To Do, is an action. We all have to-do lists, some of us are amazing and are able to put a new item on the list and check it off before the deadline. Others, like me, keep adding new items to the list and never checking anything off, yet remain comforted by the fact it’s on the list. The latter is how a lot of us are when it comes to our spiritual walk with Christ. We know our purpose, God has called us to be the light in the World, to be patient and loving. So we add these to our to-do list as Christians. ‘Today, I will show love and smile more’ but how many of us actually do this, how many of us actively work to show the impact of God’s love & grace in our lives.
We have been brought by the blood of Christ, that means we have been redeemed and saved. If we have received salvation, then we should be changed, transformed, made new. So our lives have to look different. So, when we hear our assignment, our calling from God, how many of us start immediately to do it, or do we wait, put it on the list and forget about it. God wants us to be ‘doers of the word, not just hearers’.
In order to achieve God’s desire for us we must accept His guidance and His will to carry out His Holy plan. Let’s talk a bit more about what God’s plan is for us. We have the power (God), we have the heart (His Will) and we have the ability (To do). But what is it for? It is for God’s good pleasure. Good in the Bible means Holy. We often take Holy to mean pure & perfect. The Hebrew word for holy is Kodesh (root word Kadash), this means set apart. Set apart from what you might ask? From evil, from darkness, from anything else -We have been chosen to be set apart for a specific divine purpose.
As we are set apart, we are not set apart and left on the ‘Holier than thou’ shelf to speculate and make judgements but we are set apart to work for God’s kingdom. Believers are not fragile ornaments, we are tools of the Lords, vessels to be filled and equipped for service.
God is Good, His plans are Good and His will is Good. So, how can we be in alignment with all this goodness going on? We must have a constant desire in our heart to please God. As a child you learn how to make your mum’s favourite cup of tea or find ways to make your Dad laugh. When you reach maturity you expand to supporting and treating your loved ones whether it be financial, emotional or just physical errands. We know how to please and bring joy to our parents (or loved ones) and it is not through guess-work but through consistent relationship and communication.
We do these things because we care, because we have taken the time to learn their ways and listen to how they would like to be treated. Just like this – God has written a guide (The Bible) for Believers on how to live a ‘Good’ faithful life and in this we can please Him. But do we really know what pleases God?
Let’s look briefly, at the times in the Bible God has been pleased:
It is so easy to fall into a downward spiral of thinking we are not worthy, that God could never love us or truly forgive us because of our sin – but scripture paints a different picture. It is one of a merciful God who sees value even in our weaknesses and wants us to turn to Him for all things. Today, ask for boldness in your approach to serving God. Shake off the lies of the enemy that say God has left you and only you alone can solve this problem. Philippians 2 verse 13 speaks about a God who is always there, who is knowledgeable and takes a personal interest in our lives.
Philippians 2:13 is a powerful scripture that reminds us that God
It’s time to not only be readers of The Word but doers, this week let’s put into practise our teachings and build upon our foundations. It’s time to review, reflect and correct. This is first fix.
Use the Work In God E-Journal to reflect.
Let us pray,
Lord, you have called us to be Kingdom Workers. May our work not be based on our own desires or vanity but may you become the focus Lord. Lead us God in all our thoughts, ideas and business meetings that the work we do will be God appointed and anointed. That your name will be glorified. Help us to listen and acknowledge who you are in all situations, even when we find it difficult to see the Good. May we serve you forever, Amen.
Where do you sense God working in your life right now, and what action is He asking you to take?
