RE Verse reading–Acts 20:17-35 (day four) “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak” (vs 35) Many modern believers misunderstand the place of work in our gospel. Starting as we should from Ephesians 2:9 (“Not by works (ergon) lest any man should boast”), we rightly claim salvation as a gift by grace through faith alone. Many, however, never find an appropriate balance for Philippians 2:12 “work out (kata ergon) your salvation with fear and trembling”. In Acts 20, Paul’s word choice is picturesque. It was the word used for harvest. It pictured the hot, sweaty, urgent work of bringing in crops. The first hearers all knew exactly what was being required. May the Lord give us the same vision for our own lives. Hard work is God’s will for us. It is the only way the weak can be helped. As the old hymn says, “We’ll work till Jesus comes.” Sing with me, will you?
Very thought-provoking post. Thanks!
I remember very clearly talking with the Lord about Phil 2:12-13. “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. I remember telling Him that made no sense to me… am I to work or does He do the work? Overall the passage is talking about loving others/preferring them over ourselves and basically having a servant’s heart… just like our Lord. There is a reason these two are back to back and I pray the Father will give us all further wisdom as He continues to reveal this passage to us.
I agree that Grace theology is everywhere right now and some seem way too focused on it to the exclusion of other really helpful commands/ideas. Some even nullify entire portions of the scripture in order to clearly justify their message. However, despite this, for me, “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and (His) righteousness.” I dare not trust my works and yet hunger/thirst for all He desires to accomplish through me to be completed.
May it be so for all of us, Father. May you cause unity within Your Church. Amen.