Great book for new Christians trying to get it, or old Christians trying to re-focus on what is important.
from 'Crazy Love' by Fancis Chan 2008
...you simply would not have bread without both yeast and flour.
This illustration bears a similarity to our spiritual lives. If we never responded to God, if we never acted based on what He has done for us, there wouldn't be much of a relationship there. God is still real and moving, but at some point we have to respond and act because of what He... (show more)
Great book for new Christians trying to get it, or old Christians trying to re-focus on what is important.
from 'Crazy Love' by Fancis Chan 2008
...you simply would not have bread without both yeast and flour.
This illustration bears a similarity to our spiritual lives. If we never responded to God, if we never acted based on what He has done for us, there wouldn't be much of a relationship there. God is still real and moving, but at some point we have to respond and act because of what He's done. Like yeast and flour are both necessary to bread, both God's action and our response-action are necessary in this relationship with God.
In the book of Philippians, Paul writes, "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 it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (2:12-13). I love the apparent contradiction in this passage. Paul says in one breath, "Work out your own salvation," and in the next, "It is God who works in you." The both-ness here doesn't allow us to escape with a simple conclusion. Yes, it is God who works in you. And, yes, there is work for you to do. Yes. the Spirit empowers you to do the work. And, yes, you do the work.
Like many things in life, there really isn't a sew-it-all-up solution. And I love that. God is big and mysterious enough that we all cannot simply put a label on this process and move on. It requires continual engagement and wrestling and discovering how to live a Spirit-filled life today. Not ten years from now. Not tomorrow. But right now, in the particular time and place He has put us. As we "work out our salvation" and as "God works in us." Let us keep in step. (show less)
