Working Out, For Good

because of this take up the armor of God so that powerful to stand in the evil day and working out, stand.*

The word stand ἵστημι (histēmi) means to make to stand, to stand; cause to stand, establish, hold up; stand firm, steadfast. The implication is that I stand because God has established me. I am established to stand in a way, to battle not against flesh and blood but against leaders, authorities, world rulers of darkness, spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.* Before I can stand and put on the armor of God to battle these spiritual forces I need to have been established. If I have been established I will stand, but great will be the fall if I build a foundation upon things not essential.* Now, having worked out a firm foundation let us move on to further training. The word for "working out" κατεργάζομαι (katergazomai) also means to realize into practice, to effect, bring out as a result, practice. I am working out my salvation, to stand on that evil day.

for our momentary lightness of affliction working out our eternal weight glorious, accordingly beyond, beyond all measure.*

What is being worked out? an eternal fullness of glory in Christ. Paul writes "work out your salvation with reverence and solemn responsibility."* We see this concept of walking circumspectly, alert, watchful, sober as the devil is like a lion roaming around seeking to destroy. It is not a anxious worrisome mindset but one of a soldier in combat, watchful. Later Paul writes of the same type of mindset, of being alert, watchful, "and keep alert in all perseverance and petition, concerning all the saints."* Such a watchful mind is renewed to be spiritual, the mind of Christ that agrees with God's will, and this is how the law of faith doesn't nullify but fulfills the law. This mind of maturity comes in the proving, baptism of fire Jesus being the refiners fire of purity, that comes in the trial.

rejoice in the suffering, knowing that suffering works out endurance, now, endurance character and character hope, and hope doesn't shame because the love of God is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us."*

God disciplines his children so that we share in His character, which is holy. This is holiness that we bear fruit of being chosen as a child, we grow up to be sons. This is the purpose of the suffering, the trial as Peter writes should not be viewed as something strange coming upon us. How many people do you know rejoice in suffering? and how many people do you know who would rejoice with you? If you have been in this battle then you would know. James writes in the trial rejoice, "knowing that the proving of your faith works out endurance. Now, having endurance having its intended purpose, so that existing mature and complete, lacking in nothing."* There is a purpose in the trial, a proving, a rite of passage into adulthood, a working out of salavation, of character which reflects maturity. A mature person yields the character of Christ, a harvest of righteousness which its intended outcome is life, joy, wholeness, lacking in nothing.

for I know, not knowing what I work out, for I practice, not practicing what I will, rather doing what I hate...*

Paul finds he wills to do good but that something is causing him to do the opposite, "now, at present no longer myself working it out but sin dwelling in me. For I know nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh for I have the desire to do right but am unable to work it out."* Paul writes it is not I but sin in me and he finds these principles as a believer that sin dwells in the flesh and evil is near him. Could people use this truth to say the devil made me do it? It is the spiritual forces we war against and anyone skilled in warfare knows it is important to know your enemy. The enemy uses this weakness to his advantage, but thanks to Jesus we shall overcome, he is working it out. The Spirit moans within us as we await adoption fully, the redemption of our bodies.* As we remain in this tent we groan and are burdened because we want to be clothed fully so that mortality is swallowed up by life, now, the one working out this very thing is God who gave us the Spirit as a pledge.* As believers the devil uses this weakness of the member to war against our minds to bring us unto captivity to sin.* Victory is through a process of growth, of growing up in knowledge of the Son that works out maturity, into full adulthood, conforming to His image. Truth abides in the young person who is strong, though the word of God, he has overcome the evil one. Peter writes in this war against our souls, the goal of faith is salvation of our souls.*

Now, know that all work together for good, the ones loved of God, the ones existing called according to purpose...*

To stand I need to work out the first part, to be established, His workmanship, also putting off the old stained garments, putting on the new one created and prepared in righteousness and trained in godliness. Finally, putting on the things I am established in, I put on truth all around me, righteousness and love to protect my heart, a renewed mind, steady in peace, and strengthened in faith so I can work out my salvation; to stand against evil. Putting on the armor of God is further working out of our salvation. God has your back, He is working out all things for our good, for us who are called according to His purpose, to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Whom Shall I Fear

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