“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13

Once you decide to get serious about becoming like Christ, you must begin to act in new ways. You’ll need to let go of some old routines, develop some new habits, and intentionally change the way you think.

The verse above shows the two parts of spiritual growth: “work out” and “work in.”The “work out” is your responsibility and the “work in” is God’s role. Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between you and the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit works with us, not just in us.

This verse, written to believers, is not about how to be saved, but how to grow. It doesn’t say “work for” your salvation, because you can’t add anything to what Jesus already did!

For example, during a physical workout, you exercise to develop your body, not to get a body. When you work out a puzzle, you already have all the pieces – your task is to put the pieces together. Farmers work the land, not to get land, but to develop what they already have.

God has given you a new life; now you’re responsible to develop it “with fear and trembling.” That means to take your spiritual growth seriously, because it will determine your role in eternity. When people are casual about their growth in Christlikeness, it shows they don’t understand the implications.

Question: What does it mean to be “working out” our salvation?

About this Author: Rick Warren

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for August 27th, PM.

Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.

“Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.” Psalm 31:5, KJV

These words have frequently been uttered by faithful people in their hour of departure. The object of a person’s main concern in life and death should not be their body, or their wealth, but their spirit. This is your most precious treasure, and if it is safe, all is well. How can your current physical maladies compare with your eternal soul?

A believer will commit their soul to the hand of God. We came from Him, are His own. He has sustained us, and He is able to keep us. And so it is appropriate that He should receive us back to Him.

All things are safe in God’s hands. What we entrust to the Lord will be secure, both now and until the end of days towards which we are fast approaching. It is peaceful living, and glorious dying, resting in the care of heaven. At all times we should commit all we have to Jesus’ faithful hand. Then, even when life hangs on a thread, and adversities multiply as the sands of the sea, our soul will dwell at ease, and delight itself in quiet resting places.

“Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” God’s redemption is solid ground for having confidence. David didn’t know about Jesus’ death and resurrection as we do, but even his imperfect knowledge cheered him. And won’t eternal redemption even more sweetly console us? Past deliverances assure us of present assistance. What the Lord has done, He will do again. He never changes. He is faithful to His promises, and gracious to His saints. He will not turn away from His people.

“Though Thou slay me I will trust, Praise Thee even from the dust, Prove, and tell it as I prove, Thine unutterable love.

Thou mayst chasten and correct, But Thou never canst neglect; Since the ransom price is paid, On Thy love my hope is stay’d.”

Question: Have you committed your life to God?

About this Author: Charles Spurgeon

The summer between my 3rd and 4th year of university I worked at Yellowstone National Park. It was a great summer, full of adventures and new experiences.

On a day off, I had signed up for a day long class in rock climbing. I was successfully making my way up the side of a mountain when the instructor surprised me with an unexpected challenge, when he said, “I want you to push yourself off and fall on the rope!” Questioning why he would ask me to do this, I hesitated, and he wisely pointed out that, “You will never be a good rock climber until you can trust that the rope will hold you. Push yourself off and fall on the rope.”

I was afraid.  Obviously, my trust was in my ability to use my hands and feet to scale the mountain.  The rope was a secondary source of security, in case I slipped (which I did not plan to do!). I eventually did let go of my hand holds, and I’m here to tell you that the rope held!

There are times when God seems to say the same thing to me as my instructor did that day. “Take the step, release your hands on what you are holding and see that I’m trustworthy.” The writer of the Psalms wrote, “O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the person who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

Just as I would never be a good rock climber without experiencing that the rope will hold. The same is true of my spiritual life. I will never be a responsive Christ follower if I am unwilling to let go of whatever I am grasping when God says, “Let go, trust me.”

Are you willing to let go of the things that give you security? We can only experience God’s goodness when we take those, sometimes scary steps that take faith. Do you trust God is able to hold you securely when you let go of the things that provide comfort or security? What step is God asking you to take? Could it be he is asking you to let go of a relationship, finances or a position … A thought that comforts me is God holds the universe together it is likely He can provide all I need to hold life together … Enjoy the adventure!

Father God, Help me today to truly trust You and to let go of the things I have been putting my trust in. You alone are able to hold me securely! Thank you.

Questions: What step is God asking you to take today? What are the things we look to, other than God, for our security?

About this Author: Mike Woodard

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Second Chances, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

“The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.” 1 Samuel 10:6

These were some of Samuel’s words to Saul when he anointed him as king, God’s chosen leader over Israel.

God’s promise to Saul was fulfilled, as we read just a few verses later:

“As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these sign were fulfilled that day.” (1 Samuel 10:9)

“You will be changed into a different person.”

Doesn’t that sound glorious?

How wonderful it would be to have my failings and insecurities removed and to be remade into a different person. The idea captures my imagination and stirs me with longing.

The good news is that the invitation and the promise of change have been extended to every one of us. Jesus didn’t die so that our lives could be improved or upgraded; He died so that we could be transformed – a completely different person.

Paul put it this way, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

That promise of newness is for each person who accepts Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for their sins.

Sometimes the evidence of change is instantaneous, other times it appears more gradually, but the truth remains the same – if God’s Spirit lives in us we will be changed.

Thank you Gracious God, that I am a new creation in Christ. Thank you for washing away the old and filling me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to live in the reality that I am a different person.

Questions: How has God changed you? How does the hope of change encourage you? How does believing that God has changed you affect your daily life?

About this Author: Suzanne Benner

Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s daily devotional Changed read aloud, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

“The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.” 1 Samuel 10:6

These were some of Samuel’s words to Saul when he anointed him as king, God’s chosen leader over Israel.

God’s promise to Saul was fulfilled, as we read just a few verses later:

“As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these sign were fulfilled that day.” (1 Samuel 10:9)

“You will be changed into a different person.”

Doesn’t that sound glorious?

How wonderful it would be to have my failings and insecurities removed and to be remade into a different person. The idea captures my imagination and stirs me with longing.

The good news is that the invitation and the promise of change have been extended to every one of us. Jesus didn’t die so that our lives could be improved or upgraded; He died so that we could be transformed – a completely different person.

Paul put it this way, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

That promise of newness is for each person who accepts Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for their sins.

Sometimes the evidence of change is instantaneous, other times it appears more gradually, but the truth remains the same – if God’s Spirit lives in us we will be changed.

Thank you Gracious God, that I am a new creation in Christ. Thank you for washing away the old and filling me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to live in the reality that I am a different person.

Questions: How has God changed you? How does the hope of change encourage you? How does believing that God has changed you affect your daily life?

About this Author: Suzanne Benner

Paul writes: “I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do, and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires” (Galatians 5:16,17).

Our minds are susceptible to the influence of our old sin- nature and, as such, can pose real dangers to us. As soon as we get out of step with the Holy Spirit and get our focus off the Lord, our minds begin to give us trouble.

“The Christian life is really simple,” I heard a pastor say recently. “It’s simply doing what we’re told to do.” And he is right. We will be spiritually minded, not carnally minded, if we obey the simple commands of God’s Word.

Bible Reading: Romans 8:5-11

Today’s Action Point: Through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, I will give the spiritual mind priority over the carnal mind in my life.

About this Author: Bill Bright