Have you ever felt stunted in your growth as a Christian?
Are you waiting, praying or hoping for the Lord’s transformative work to be evident in your life?
Are you tired of battling with the same old struggles?
Do you long to experience the fruitfulness that you believe is possible in Christ?
Philippians 2:12-13 presents us with interesting tension regarding our growth in the Lord. We are called to “work out” our salvation, yet it is God who works in us.
In this article, we’ll explore how these two truths fit together.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
Do you feel the tension?
As I read these verses, two words come to mind: Method and Mystery.
We will tackle the mystery first.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
There’s no doubt that God is at work in the heart of the believer, even giving the initial faith needed in order to be restored, by grace, to God. And, without an abiding relationship with the Lord, there is no spiritual growth. In fact, there’s simply no spiritual fruit at all. We can clean up our lives a bit and we can put on a show (both for a little while) but true spiritual growth and fruit require the work of the Lord.
And, here’s why this is a mystery. We don’t often see God working in our lives. We may not even “feel” that He is working. We may believe that He works in us, but typically, we don’t realize we are growing even as we are growing.
It often takes looking back—after months or even years—to recognize that God has been growing us.
In many ways, it’s similar to watching our children grow. We don’t see the incremental fractions of inches as they grow taller with each passing day, but when we look back over the 10 years from 6 to 16, we are overwhelmed by the growth in their lives.
So, where does the method fit in?
As the Lord works in our heart, He begins to change our desires. Our appetite for the world and its pleasures wane. Our hunger and thirst for righteousness grows. If we are a part of a strong local church, we begin to see opportunities to grow offered by the church or observed as we watch other believers engage in spiritual disciplines as they work out their faith.
As we begin to engage in new habits: Bible study, prayer, worship, serving, evangelizing and more, the Holy Spirit uses these disciplines of the faith to bring growth that we never expected – growth that we could not manufacture.
Picture it like this….A few years ago, I had the opportunity to ride an electric bike through Acadia National Park in Maine during the beautiful fall season. As I climbed on my rented e-bike, I expected to turn on the motor and simply start speeding around. But I quickly learned that I had to start pedaling before the motor would kick in and allow me to soar through the scenic trails and empower me to climb the steep hills.
It was a powerful illustration to me about the way God works to grow us. The Spirit’s power gives us new desires but in order to realize the growth, we must step out in faith acting on new rhythms in our lives. Much like the motor on the e-bike carried me, the Spirit empowers our new rhythms as He uses them to grow us in godliness.
The Lord works in our lives through various circumstances. But, there is a satisfying and blessed work that He does when we show up, trusting in Him and His ways and seeking Him with the disciplines that His Word commands.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
As we learn about disciplines we have not yet practiced, they may sound hard. It may even feel like work as we start the practice of new habits. But, those habits soon become delightful rhythms and we realize the rewards of their practice – knowing God and growing in godliness.
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”2 Peter 1:3-4
Our God is good. His ways are perfect. He has given us all we need for life and godliness as we walk with Him. Spiritual disciplines are a means to walk in those good gifts and they are the path to an abundant life in Christ.
Book Recommendation: “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald Whitney
