Continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling… Philippians 2:12 (AMP)
Yesterday we saw how your spirit was made new the instant you believed on Jesus. But your soul—in other words, your mind, will and emotions—still has all your old programming. The gift of salvation has to impact your deepest beliefs, otherwise you will remain conformed to the world’s way of thinking and living.
I’ve seen Christians who served God for decades, but somewhere along the way, they neglected to stay in the Word—and the results were devastating. They were more easily tempted, distracted and defeated because they were not being led by God’s Spirit. They slid back into the old thinking and behaviour that used to wreak havoc on their lives.
James 1:21 (NKJV) says, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Planting the Word in you is what saves your soul!
You may think you don’t have the discipline to change the way you think or stick to a habit of reading God’s Word. But you have more power over your mind and emotions than you think. Imagine being in the middle of a heated argument with a family member when the phone rings. Most of us have the self-control to pick up the phone and greet the other person politely, despite our strong emotions.
I challenge you: don’t let anything keep you away from God’s Word! In every situation, decision and thought, go to the Word, plant it in your heart and it will grow an amazing harvest in your life. This is what it means to work out your salvation.