Story-Teller
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Man's Responsibility
Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Eph. 4:1-7
Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV) “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
After examining selected issues relating to God’s sovereignty, we now turn for a few days to the side of man’s responsibility. Did you notice in your reading of Romans 9-11 yesterday that God is sovereign (Romans 9, 11), but sandwiched in the middle is man’s response to the Gospel (Romans 10)? Prompted by the Holy Spirit, a person believes unto salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ (10:9-13).
Man’s responsibility in light of God’s sovereignty is not simply just “let go and let God.” For instance, as believers, we are called to walk individually and corporately in a manner worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1). We can’t do this ourselves. While we are given the responsibility to act and grow in holiness, God’s sovereign work in our lives produces the fruit of Christ’s righteousness. It is a divine-human process that alone maintains “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:3).
Notice of the words of Paul on this very issue:
Philippians 2:12-13 “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, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Let me be very clear here. Your works apart from the grace of God in Jesus Christ mean nothing. You can’t produce for yourself anything, let alone salvation. Only God can. The point here is that the triune God is at work in the lives of His children, and we are called, by His strength and power, to act in obedience to that working (Phil. 2:13).
Pray today for the Holy Spirit to lead you in truth and righteousness as you work, study, play, and live life.
Faith Lesson:
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Submitted by Richard
Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Eph. 4:1-7
Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV) “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
After examining selected issues relating to God’s sovereignty, we now turn for a few days to the side of man’s responsibility. Did you notice in your reading of Romans 9-11 yesterday that God is sovereign (Romans 9, 11), but sandwiched in the middle is man’s response to the Gospel (Romans 10)? Prompted by the Holy Spirit, a person believes unto salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ (10:9-13).
Man’s responsibility in light of God’s sovereignty is not simply just “let go and let God.” For instance, as believers, we are called to walk individually and corporately in a manner worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1). We can’t do this ourselves. While we are given the responsibility to act and grow in holiness, God’s sovereign work in our lives produces the fruit of Christ’s righteousness. It is a divine-human process that alone maintains “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:3).
Notice of the words of Paul on this very issue:
Philippians 2:12-13 “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, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Let me be very clear here. Your works apart from the grace of God in Jesus Christ mean nothing. You can’t produce for yourself anything, let alone salvation. Only God can. The point here is that the triune God is at work in the lives of His children, and we are called, by His strength and power, to act in obedience to that working (Phil. 2:13).
Pray today for the Holy Spirit to lead you in truth and righteousness as you work, study, play, and live life.
Faith Lesson:
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Submitted by Richard
