Starting Your Journeyნიმუში

2nd day

The responsibilities from your side

Is it true that you cannot work for your salvation? Absolutely! But is it true that you don't have to do anything after being saved? Absolutely not! Today, we will look at our responsibilities as children of God and how this will benefit and assist us in our walk with God.

The Bible says in Philippians that we need to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling". What does this mean? It means that we have received this gift from God, and we will be held accountable by God for how we treat that gift. Salvation is not something God takes lightly because He paid for it with His very life. Just like the value of something is determined by the price you are willing to pay for it, so God saw the value in you that He decided you are worth His very life. And He paid for you. Now, you have to esteem your salvation at such a high cost that you use everything in your ability to take care of that gift. We can say that the way you esteem God will be the way you esteem your salvation. Let’s look at three practical principles you can use to assist you in working out your own salvation.

No. 1. Walk away from the things you once did.

The Bible calls this action "repentance". The Bible says in the book of Matthew that we need to bear fruit worthy of our repentance, meaning that we should provide clear evidence that we have walked away from our old life and we are now walking with God. This is a lifelong journey; nobody wakes up in the morning and is suddenly perfect. This takes time, discipline, and consistency to start walking in the way that God approves of. This is an exciting journey because as you actively walk in repentance, you are freed from the things that were never meant to be yours anyway. That's great news. Repentance brings you back to that place that God wants you to live in, and that is in a righteous relationship with Him.

No. 2. Get to know and obey the voice of God's Spirit and the instruction of God's Word.

When we read the Bible, we are not just reading God's words spoken hundreds of years ago. The Bible is the only book on earth that, when you are reading it, it is reading you as well. The Bible might be old according to age, but the message is still alive today, and the instructions are still applicable today. The Bible is not just for our entertainment or for satisfying our hunger for knowledge. The Bible is a guideline and an instruction manual on how to live a life that is pleasing to God. The Bible reveals to us the heart of God, the character of God, the nature of God, the intents, desires, and will of God. The Bible comes alive to you when you start to apply it. The Bible contains the words of Truth from God. It might hurt sometimes when you read it because it shows you your mistakes and flaws, but when you start to apply it, it will bring healing to your life. The Holy Spirit is the Agency of Heaven to assist us and teach us how to apply the instructions of the Bible in our lives. We will discuss more about these two categories in the following days.

No. 3. Join a local church community.

I heard a minister of the gospel say that candles stand in candlesticks, lightbulbs go in light sockets, and trees grow in soil. Without candlesticks, candles would fall over. Without being plugged in, light bulbs would never shine. And without soil, trees would simply die. For Christians, the church is a candlestick, a power source, and somewhere to put down roots, so that you can stand, shine, and grow. We encourage you to join a church community that can help you to grow in your faith and keep you accountable so that you can walk in victory and freedom as a child of God.

God did everything He could to reach you through His Son, Jesus. Now you need to do everything you can to hold on to the very hand that reached down to save you.