Gospel Calling
Opening Prayer
Father, help me to understand that I, like Paul, have one life to live and that all eternity will be effected by my choices.
Read PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18
[12] 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, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. [14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky [16] as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. [17] But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. [18] So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are you living for?The story of Christ (5-11) has profound implications for our daily life as we “work out” our salvation, with God himself working in us “in order to fulfill his good purpose” (12,13). Confessing Jesus as Lord means committing to a way of life marked by his lordship.What this “working out” looks like is then applied in our relations with each other and the integrity of our witness in the world. Once again, the two are linked. We lay aside “complaining” and “arguing” so that we may be “blameless and pure” (14,15). The result of harmony among us is that we become God’s children, shining like stars in a corrupt society (15). How do we do this? By holding out (or holding fast to) the word of life (16). What a calling! In our everyday places–work, school, family, community–we do all things as God’s children, shining out his light and holding forth his Word to those around us. No wonder Paul rejoices in the sacrificial offering of their faith to God of which his own life and ministry form a part (17,18).
Apply
“Do everything without complaining or arguing” (14). If we took this seriously, what difference would it make to our lives?
Closing prayer
Savior and Friend, You are worthy of lives that are poured out and shining with Your life. Help me to reveal You to the world.
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