Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man: A Daily Devotional

by Walter A. Henrichsen

NOVEMBER 28 Day 333 Dependence and Discipline “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; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 The follower of Jesus Christ must be passive and active, dependent and disciplined. Faith must be active, never passive, and yet “except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.”1 God will never do for you what you can do for yourself, but what you cannot do for yourself, He will do. If the work of sanctification belonged solely to God, the admonitions to self-control and discipline would be superfluous. Therefore, if you do not “work out your own salvation,” you will be lost. Obedience is a key component in your walk with God. Sanctification, however, cannot be accomplished by human means. You are dependent upon God to do it. He promises you that He resides in you “both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Paul asked, “Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”2 Regeneration, from start to finish, is the work of God. He begins it in salvation and completes it in sanctification. This means that you will never experience a time when you are not dependent upon the Lord to complete His work in you, and you will always remain responsible for being His obedient, faithful, and dependent servant. If you let go of either tru...