“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
There are certain excuses we use to try and end a conversation, especially when we come to a crossroads. A crossroad is when we have a choice to turn to the right or the left. Let’s say the turn to the right is towards correction with humility, and the left turn would be towards excuses because of pride.
I’ve been guilty of the left turn which would result in a response of “That’s just how I am”. Until one day I got a response of “We don’t like how you are and neither does God”. I don’t want to tell you my response, but I can tell you that it resonated with me for a while. I remember coming across Philippians 2:12-16, it helped me make more right turns then lefts. The idea of working out my salvation reminds me of trying to figure out how to put something together by following instructions. But the verse, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” helped me to see that my attention to conviction was an important part of the working out.
Imagine if the instruction booklet had a voice that would correct you before you make a mistake, “Don’t do that”. That’s how I see my relationship with the Holy Spirit, a still small voice that challenges my will. The crossroad is usually a choice to turn to the left, “My Way drive” or the right, “Highway to Heaven”. That choice to go to the right is “to will and to do”. It’s the time where I hear the Spirit of God and reply, “Not my will, but Yours be done”, sound familiar?
If we have the life of Christ in mind because of being familiar with His ways, it will always be a right turn. “Do all things without complaining and disputing”, is what makes it easy to make the right decision. We work out the Salvation that has been freely given to us and remains available to hear from the Holy Spirit to will and to do for His good pleasure. It’s a sure-fired recipe for a life lived to it’s fullest.
So, the next time you hear yourself saying, “That’s just how I am”, you might want to change your blinker from the left to the right, Amen!
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri and serves with her as full-time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can reach him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org
