God Working in Your Life?

Scripture: Philippians 2:12–13, NIV

“…—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.” (Philippians 2:12-13, NIV)

Have you ever tried to push a car by yourself when the engine was not working?

For most of us it is not possible to do so in our own strength.

The key to living the Christian life is trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to live through us, and not trusting in ourselves to do so. The flesh in itself does not have the power to live the Christian life.

The Holy Spirit is like the engine in a car. The car will not move without the engine working.

The Holy Spirit is like the battery in a flashlight. Unless the battery is working, there is no light.

For the car to move and serve its purpose, the engine must be turned on. For the flashlight to shine a light beam, the battery must be engaged.

For us to live the Christian life, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit and be controlled by him. This occurs when we ask him in faith to fill us and control how we think, feel, and act.

Today’s verse says, “… for it is God who works in you to will and act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Our attitude and understanding are key in seeing Christ living his life in us. He is the one who prompts us to work and fulfill the purposes of God. He is the one who empowers us to do his work.

Today, ask yourself:

Do I trust the Holy Spirit to empower me to live and work for Christ, or do I trust self-effort?

Ask God to shine the light of the Holy Spirit into your heart, trusting him to control how you think, feel, and act.