Verse of the Day 11/23

 

Philippians 2:12- What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God.  The Message (MSG)

 

My father in law, Chester Cocozza, "Papa Chet" as he was known to our kids and grandkids passed away earlier this week.  He had an outgoing personality and it was said of him that he never knew a stranger.  It was an endearing  trait, a part of who he was that he carried with him until his dying day.  Yesterday's verse from James told us to "show no partiality". That is part of what is necessary in never knowing a stranger.  He always had a story or a joke to tell that would break the ice.  He could carry on a conversation with anybody about almost anything.

 

Today's verse tells us that we should have that same kind of trait, that same mindset about our faith, about our salvation.  Many translations say "work out" your salvation.  Pastor Greg Laurie writes " a more accurate translation would be, "Carry to the goal and fully complete."  What this means is we are working out what God has worked in."  We are to "carry out", to live out our salvation to the end.  To live it, breathe it, share it or as The Message translates it "be energetic in" our lives of salvation in reverence to God knowing that we live each day "coram deo".  To live "coram deo" is to live one's entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and to the Glory of God.

 

We will miss you Papa Chet, may we remember and learn from you what it means to "never know a stranger" and apply it in our lives.  May we be as "energetic" in it, apply it in our faith and pass it on to the next generation.  After all we have a story to tell.

 

In Christ
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Philippians 2:12-13

The Message (MSG)

Rejoicing Together

^12-13 What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.