Take Hold and Let God

Well, here we are at the end of a sermon series on holiness, and I just want to make something very clear.  The bible does not teach us to “Let Go & Let God”.  It sounds so nice.  It sounds so spiritual.  But it is so unbiblical. Now I have a lot of work to do today (yes, pastors don’t just work on Sundays), so I’m not going to write extensively on this – no book chapter here.  My comments will be brief but hopefully helpful.

A wonderful place to start in understanding how God does His work in our lives is Philippians 2:12-13, which I have referenced over and over again in our current series.

[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)

2 Ways of Thinking about Growth in Faith That Are NOT Accurate (and downright destructive)

1 – White Knuckles: I work really hard because it’s all up to me.  If I can make progress, I will become more acceptable to God and God becomes so proud of me.

2 – Let Go: I just give it over to God. I become gloriously passive and wait for God to transform me as I drift along.

The Way That God Has Ordained to Work In Our Live

1 – God Is the Primary Worker: “…it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” It is only by the grace of God that I can make real progress in my faith in Jesus. If God doesn’t work, my situation is absolutely helpless.

2 – God Has Provided Means for Me to Lay Hold of His Grace: When Philippians 2:12 says “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” it doesn’t mean that we are swing wildly for the fences.  There are God-given provisions for this work. Even the ability to “work out” is from the grace of our God. Let me just list a few, knowing that I could develop a case for each of these (but I do have that sermon to get to).

·         Read your bible. (John 17:17)

·         Worship together regularly with God’s people.

·         Commit yourself to a specific church body.

·         Use your spiritual gifts and talents.

·         Make repentance a regular part of your life.

·         Develop “genuine, biblical friendships” (this week’s sermon).

I hope this is helpful.  I find that too many people are frustrated in the area of real change and growth in their walk of faith because they “let go” when they should “take hold”.  Work out your salvation as God has ordained and I think you will find God doing His work in you.