Jump Start # 1443

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

 Work out your salvation are the words of the beloved apostle. Salvation must be lived. There are choices. There are decisions we must make. Some bring us closer to the cross. Some take us away from the cross. Some actions are just what others want us to do. Sometimes they may want us to do them more than we do.

There is a personal responsibility to our faith and journey with Christ. We can’t hang our hat completely on the church. We can’t excuse our lackluster faith because of others. Dead churches, lifeless sermons and indifferent brethren may surround us, but still, we can have a faith that is alive, active and doing things for the kingdom. Work out your salvation.

One of the things that troubles me often is when you want to fix things but you can’t. You see what ought to be done, but the folks involved do not see it, or worse, they don’t seem to care. This is true of families. This is true of congregations. This is true of individuals. You see some drifting. You want to be that spiritual spark plug that gets them going. Suggestions are offered, but they fall flat on the floor. You give direction, which is ignored. And there they go, off to a dead faith, which in time will kill their soul. You see it coming. You want to help, but they don’t want the help.

This is one of the most frustrating things that shepherds face. They talk to me about it all the time. What can we do to get folks more diligent? Why can’t we light a fire under some families? Some change the number of services, hoping that helps. It doesn’t. Some try to have some special studies, thinking that the topic would be of interest to them. It’s not. They drift along, weak, shallow and with only their big toe in the water of faith. When temptations knocks, they don’t know what to do other than answer the door. When stormy nights come, they doubt, question and are no where to be found. Paul told the Thessalonians to “help the weak” (1 Thes 5:14). We are limited in what we can do. One of the saddest things is realizing that we can’t “fix the weak.” There must be something within them that will cause their faith to grow. They must, as our verse today says, “work out their salvation.” No one can do that for them.

I’ve had so many parents, with tears coming down their cheeks, tell me the sad story of their child who once was a Christian but today is simply not interested at all. It’s easy to point fingers. It’s easy to be a back seat driver. What’s hard is trying to fix what you cannot fix.

Some will blame the church. Some will blame the times. Some will point out that there were too few kids the same age in the congregation. Some will say the preaching was too hard. What is not said, but probably known deep inside, is that the person no longer wants to work out their salvation. They don’t care about their salvation. They have moved on. They have out grown God. They don’t have time nor the interests in those kind of things. That’s the killer. Wanting to fix what can’t be fixed.

I’m asked that often about a congregation. A few bright spots are holding on. The leadership no longer leads. The church is a drift and no one seems to notice or care. What can we do, I’m asked. I see things. I have suggestions. I believe it could be turned around, but, like our passage, there are those who are not working out their salvation. They are too busy with work. They have put kingdom work on the back burner. They have flipped on the auto-pilot and things are not well. Can you help us, is the plea. It breaks my heart. I want to help. My DNA is to fix things. I’m an idea guy. I have suggestions. But the powers that be do not want to listen. They feel things are fine. It’s hard not being able to fix what needs to be fixed.

But in all of this, I have learned, that it is much easier to see what the other guy needs to do more than what I need to do. I expect there are those who look at me and would love to fix Mr. Roger. They probably could give me positive help, but do I see it? Do I open a door for such conversations?

Help can be offered, but help is only good if a person wants to be helped. Too often a person waits until their boat is about to go over the waterfalls before they cry for help. Then, it is often too late. Too late to save the marriage. Too late to save a person from getting fired, going to jail, or losing their house. Our pride keeps us from asking for help. Asking for help is too often seen as a sign of weakness. We would rather fail than ask for help. And that very thing happens.

Work out your salvation. What is it going to take for you to be stronger? What is it going to take for you to walk closer with the Lord? What is it going to take for you to shine and excel with Jesus? Work it out. Bring it out. Be diligent. Get about it. Just do it.

You probably won’t be able to fix others. Continue to pray for them. Be there for them. Offer your help. You can, though, fix yourself. This is why the Bible says to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith. It tells you here, to work out your salvation. Be strong. Be immovable. Act like men.

Great words for a heart that is in tune with the Lord.

Roger