Living as Christians in a secular world is a challenge. In order to live out our lives and Shine like stars we need to have a firm understanding of what we believe, of what empowers our faith. Paul in this powerful passage squarely places the responsibility for this not on our pastors, not on evangelists, not on tv preachers or dvds, but firmly on us, indvidually. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. God has given us an intellect, God has given us his Spirit to guide and help us, we need to be prepared to Work Out, to nut out, to study and understand God’s Word, we need to have a reverence for God and his word, but often we fall far short. The biggest issue facing the Church in the 21st Century is biblical illiteracy, if people took time to read the whole Bible they would be far better prepared to face the society in which they live. True Worshippers must worship in Spirit and Truth, we need the Holy Spirit in our lives, but we also need to Know the Truth of the Word in order to worship fully.
Philippians 2 vs. 12-18 – Shining Like Stars
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,
Keep in the word; seek through the Spirit to gain understanding of it essence
Treat it with reverence and apply it precepts to your life, of its tenets do not be condescending
For God’s word to you is life giving, to both lead you, and give life resonance
His word is sound, reliable, trustworthy, its power and authority in our lives never ending
God’s desire is that we seek first his kingdom, to desire to be in his presence
For in drawing near to him, he will draw near to us and bring change and spirit enabling.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure,
For we are called to be salt and light, to be beacons of truth and not from it repose
For as we serve and do so as to our God, of the upward call to him we can be sure
For it is not by might, nor by power, but we God’s Spirit we can achieve his purpose
Even though we face the challenges the world present in God we can be clean, and pure
Children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
As you hold out the word of life in order that I may boast on the day of Christ
Like the church at Philippi we face the challenge to be blameless in world from which sin pours
To stand on the promises of God’s word, to be prophetic in our speaking out to put God first
To love the Lord our God with all our strength, mind, heart and souls, and to love our neighbours
We like Paul need to have the desire to push on toward the Goal, to boast on the day of Christ
That I did not run or labour for nothing, but even if I am being poured out
Like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith
At times it is a struggle to stand for God, we like we’re blown and tossed about
That all our energy is being is being drained, and we feel far from safe
Remember this God in us over the world prevails, over Satan he has clout
In his word, which does not return void, but prospers we can cling, have faith
I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
This is the day the Lord has made, don’t be blue
The whole earth is his creation, all land and sea
Worship him, keep his promises in full clear view
Seek him while he may be found, in his will be
Mark Maffey, July 2007 ©
(NIV)
http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz