Working Out Your Salvation

One of the problems with doing a blog is the feeling of "obligation" of posting something on a regular basis. I must admit, it has been difficult to find the time to write or even find a topic to discuss in the blog the last 4-5 days. I just know I needed to put something on the blog, but I couldn't decide what that should be. So, like most people when all other avenues fail, I decided to pray about it! Seriously, I asked God what direction to take the posting for today, and He impressed on me to tell you what I have been learning recently.

I am reading several books right now due to some academic pursuits I am attempting to undertake. One of the books I'm reading is Christian Theology by Allistar McGrath. This is McGrath's systematic theology. Although I don't know that many of you would be interested in reading a book on systematic theology, I am learning some things that may be instructive for each of us.

Philippians 2:12 tells us to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." The passage following this command is about "doing", but the section preceding this verse is instruction on who Jesus is. What this tells me is that before I can "do things for God", I must spend time "knowing" God.

As I spend time learning more about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, the church, etc., I am finding myself spending more time ministering to people. It's easier to serve others when I'm walking closer to Him. By spending time with Him, I feel compelled to serve others. Plus, the ministry I do seems to be more effective and rewarding.

A second thing I have noted is how the circumstances surrounding the church has influenced theology. When the church faces a challenge within the culture, God raises up teachers to instruct His people. God does not cast His church adrift when storms arise. He would place leaders in their midst to provide a clear voice to lead the way to Him. This is most striking in the time of the Reformations. Men like Martin Luther and John Calvin measured their culture and the church against the Bible, and they would call people to go back to the God revealed in Scripture.

Finally, I'm learning the importance of clarity. Some of the authors I have been reading lately are just a little too smart for their own good. They can be so technical in their language that they leave me (and probably many others) wondering what they are talking about. It does not do much good to think deep thoughts about God if you can't share them in a way for others to understand. All of us should learn how to speak truth to others in a way that they can grasp. Don't let our lack of clarity be a stumbling block to others.