Philippians 2:13– the willing and the working

… with fear and trembling, be carrying your own salvation into effect, for it is God Who is operating in you to will as well as to work for the sake of His delight.

The salvation of all is guaranteed. We live off that. For GOD solemnly promises, no, He even swears that in the name of JESUS ​​(=YAHWEH saves!) every knee shall bow and every tongue shall acllaim to the glory of God the Father. Such a universal statement is not to be trifled with. Only reverently and gratefully “fear and tremble” is appropriate here.

The outcome of salvation history is not uncertain. No human factor can undo it. Nothing that man works or wills changes even a millimeter in the outcome of God’s ways. Were God dependent on man’s choices, as the doctrine of “free will” would have us believe, a final, all-encompassing hymn of praise could never be guaranteed. After all, the creature must want to…

But how different is the GOD of the Bible! He hardens hearts, but He also opens hearts, eyes and ears. He heals from backsliding (Hos.14:4). He turns enemies into lovers of Him. It is he who is operating “to will as well as to work”. He and no one else!

Delen: