Saturday, July 14, 2007
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
THE GOSPEL PRODUCES FRUIT
When we hear the good news that Jesus did everything necessary to liberate us from bondage to sin and Satan, we may be inclined to think: "Great, there's nothing left for me to do. Doing works of love for others isn't important." Paul reminds us this isn't true. Our salvation is an accomplished fact, praise God! But there's work for us to do. We're called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We are to exercise our faith, letting our light shine before others that they may see our good works and glorify our heavenly Father. Think of all the verses where Jesus urges us, His blood-bought saints, to do this. Here's one: "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men" (Titus 3:8).
Here, too, the Lord speaks words of encouragement. First, He assures us of His forgiveness for our failures to be as fruitful as we want to be, as we come to Him with penitent hearts. Second, He gives this marvelous promise: "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose" (Philippians 2:13).
Hold on to that promise! Your Lord is faithful. What you can't do in your own power, He strengthens you to do. He who freed you from Satan's prison house will enable you to live as His liberated, thankful child here until you are brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God hereafter.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your heart and strengthen you in every good work. Amen.
