Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers is a great reminder that, though we are saved by faith and not by works, walking out this great salvation WILL take work on our part!
Take the Initiative
…add to your faith virtue… —2 Peter 1:5
Add means that we have to do something. We are in
danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do
what we can do. We cannot save nor sanctify ourselves— God does that. But God
will not give us good habits or character, and He will not force us to walk
correctly before Him. We have to do all that ourselves. We must “work out”
our “own salvation” which God has worked in us (Philippians 2:12). Add means
that we must get into the habit of doing things, and in the initial stages that
is difficult. To take the initiative is to make a beginning— to instruct
yourself in the way you must go.
Beware of the tendency to ask the way when you know it
perfectly well. Take the initiative— stop hesitating— take the first step. Be
determined to act immediately in faith on what God says to you when He speaks,
and never reconsider or change your initial decisions. If you hesitate when God
tells you to do something, you are being careless, spurning the grace in which
you stand. Take the initiative yourself, make a decision of your will right
now, and make it impossible to go back. Burn your bridges behind you, saying,
“I will write that letter,” or “I will pay that debt”; and
then do it! Make it irrevocable.
AMEN! This is such wise counsel! Remember always that while WE are the Body of Christ on the earth, the HEAD (JESUS) is inHEaven while WE (His BODY) is here on earth! HE guides and directs us and WE speak and act, giving HIM something to work with (Mark 16:20). Here are Hillsong Kids with their version of a favorite older song called "Tell The World":
Shalom in Him!
