Each of us has a personal responsibility to do whatever is necessary to bring about the salvation of our souls. We must constantly be alert to the danger of not being diligent to exert the effort needed to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:3-12). In working out our own salvation, our attitude toward God and his word (the Bible). will be a determining factor as to whether we are successful or unsuccessful. Solomon tells us in Eccl. 12:13 to fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man. Jesus tells us in John 14:5 that if we love him we will keep his commandments. In Mark 12:30 Jesus tells us we must love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Do we truly fear God and keep his commandment to the best of our ability? Do we love him as Jesus says we must or do we love him with some reservations in our hearts? Our success or failure in working out our own salvation depends on how we answer these questions.
And what is our attitude toward God's word? There are those who simply ignore it, never really studying it. Others read it occasionally in a superficial way never understanding what they read. If we are to work out our own salvation we must diligently search out God's truth through his word and make that truth the rule of our lives (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 2:2-3; 2 Pet. 3:18).
If we are going to be successful in making our calling and election sure we must be willing to give God our best. The best of our love (1 John 5:1-3; the best of our gifts (2 Cor. 8:5, Rom. 12:1, 2 Cor. 9:7); the best of our labors (Luke 10:7, 1 Cor. 15:58). When we give our best, nothing is lost. Give our best and receive God's best. Work out your own salvation remembering that God's promise of final deliverance and salvation of the soul is only promised to those who obey him and remain faithful until death (Heb. 5:7-9; Heb.2:1-3; Heb. 12:1-2; Rev. 2:10).
Charles Hicks
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.