For It Is God Who Works In You To Will And To Act In Order To Fulfil His Good Purpose
Take Every Thought Captive
PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
”Philippians 2:12-18 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/php.2.12-18.NKJ
V
Like the Philippian Christians needed to be especially careful, we believers of today need to be especially careful about what we believe and how we live our daily lives, especially when we are on our own in the absence of good Christian leaders.
We must focus our attention and devotion on Christ so that we won't be sidetracked.
God hasn't left us alone in our struggles to do His will; He wants to come along side us and be in us (JOHN 14:15-18), not only giving us the desire to do what pleases Him, but empowering us to do it, so that no obstacle, trial or challenge, or situation can get in the way of God’s plans.
The truth is, our impossible is God's possible; we can overcome all things through Christ who is our strength (PHILIPPIANS 4:13), including offence, fear, anxiety/ depression, dependency, sadness, hopelessness, sin, and every temptation that separates us from God; and at the same time continue doing God’s work, sharing the Good News, healing the sick, raising the dead, curing leprocy, and casting out demons, (MATHEW 10:8).
The secret to a changed life is to submit to God's control and allow Him to do His work through us.
To be like Christ, we must allow God to train us to think like Christ in our character, decisions, and responses.
To change our desires and be more like Christ, we need the power of the indwelling Spirit (1:19), the influence of faithful Christians, obedience to God's Word, and sacrificial service.
Often it's in doing God's will that we gain the desire to do it (see 4:8).
We must separate from the things of this world and do what pleases Him (see ROMANS 12:1-2), trusing Him fully.
Complaining and arguing is harmful to our individual reputations and the church.
If people only see church members constantly arguing, complaining, and gossiping, they will get a false impression of Christ and the Good News.
Belief in Christ should unite those who trust Him.
But If believers are always complaining and arguing, it lacks the unifying power of Jesus Christ.
These divisions should not be, for we believers all have just one Spirit to lead us; if we are constantly bickering, it is because we are operating in the flesh rather than by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The devil will always attack our emotions, like our fake news media of today.
They bring fear, anger, distresses, disappointments and such things to cause us to believe there lies.
The devil, whether through the people, the media, or whispers, try to infuriates our very souls, our mind, will and emotions, to manipulate, distract, and bring every division, and he’s good at it.
Therefore, take every thought captive and consider your responses carefully.
Paul said, “Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
II Corinthians 10:1-6 NKJV
My beloved, take those emotional thoughts captive; those responses of anger, offence, rage, fear, and all other emotional responses, for our emotions are not designed to discern or give us direction.
Take them captive and place them at the cross and leave them with Jesus, so that you are free to see the real facts, the real truth, and hear the Spirit of God in you as He gives you the correct responses.
That is to walk in the Spirit, and not by the lust of the flesh. It’s not always easy, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Galatians 5:17-26 NKJV
A transformed life is an effective witness to the power of God.
Are you shinning brightly, or are you clouded by complaining and arguing? Don't let dissensions snuff out your light, nor the devil steal your confidence, but rather, by the power of the Holy Spirit, be bold and shine bright for Christ; let others see Christ in you.
If you are struggling with confidence, like Paul, ask God for it.
Paul said, “and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Ephesians 6:19-20 NKJV
Our role as believers is to worship our God, shine for Christ and draw others to the faith until He returns to bring final judgment to this world in His radiant glory.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
