April 17: PATH OF RESTORATION

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

The first church Paul planted in Macedonia was at Philippi. He wrote to thank them for the selflessness they exhibited, helping him materially in his times of need. Out of their poverty, they gave to help Paul in his mission, repeatedly sending aid to him. Paul wanted them to know the fruit that abounds to [their] account (4:17), but more than that, he wanted to instruct them for maintaining their unity in Christ, for only in Christ is true spiritual unity possible. Paul was aware that there were fellow workers in the church at Philippi who were hindering the work of proclaiming Christ. He wanted to encourage those who were mature to press on, despite those who were stirring up trouble (see 3:15-18).

Paul’s fervent love for the Lord Jesus could be heard in his instructions to the church. He encouraged them to be obedient to the light given to them. Paul understood that obedience to God in any matter that is understood clearly was like posting a guard for the heart and mind of the believer (see Philippians 4:7). Such hearts and minds will grow and thrive in the knowledge of Christ. But disobedience to that which is made clear will send your spiritual life onto a course of disintegration. Be careful not to forsake the matter of sanctification in your life, or neglect the light you have been given. Continually bring the truth that you know into your actions, and every area of your life will be changed for the better. Failure to do this in your everyday life will turn the very light that you have into a curse (see Deuteronomy 28). In the words of Jesus, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23)

The living out of theology rooted and grounded in the Lord’s word, brings peace of God beyond human understanding, along with soundness of mind (see Philippians 4:7), deeper understanding of the mind of Christ, and heightened discernment. Your theology is to work itself out into all of your actions and relationships. This is the basic training (known as sanctification) that follows forgiveness (called justification). It ultimately supplies the answer to this question: Do I live what I know? The moral, mental, physical, and spiritual details of my life will be measured by the same standard that sent the Savior to the cross. He died to pay the death penalty for the breaking of His Law. The atonement that He provides every sinner who comes to Him for forgiveness is the launchpad into a step-by-step restoration – by walking with Christ for the rest of your life – toward life eternal.

Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”  John 12:35-36a