We Will Work This Out

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6

Do you ever feel like things are working against you, that change seems impossible, then these promises of God are for you. God does not choose us and abandon us, such would not glorify his power and strength but make him look weak. He has given us a Spirit of adoption and if he began a good work in you he will complete it, he is working it out for your good and he will be with you always. God speaks, the scriptures speak, saying "we will work this out."

And we know that for those loved of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose - Romans 8:28

It is a massive promise, that God will work things out for our good. Now, what is the good he is working out? "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). Working things out means we share in his glory (we are being transformed from glory to glory, the glory of God in the face of Christ, thus through knowledge of Him we grow) and our conformation to Christ brings glory to God. Therefore the burden of affliction and hardship and persecution that works out our good, is nothing compared to the weight of glory. Let us always remember this. 

And those whom he predestined he also calls, and those whom he called he also justifies, and those whom he justified, these also glorifies - Romans 8:30

He predestined us for this purpose. Which means he chose us as Paul writes before he created the world to be holy, blameless in his presence in love (Ephesians 1:4). How does he work out such a thing for our good, that we are holy, loved, and blameless in his presence? He purposed this in Christ, so those called according to his purpose in us he is working out all things for our good. How do I know I am called according to his purpose, that I am in Christ? He chose, predestined us through adoption. The Spirit is one of adoption, whom testifies that we are children of God, and that God is our Abba Father. Thus we receive a great gift, that of being born a new creation in Christ, we become of his own people. 

But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand - Isaiah 64:8

Our Father, he is going to work things out. There is nothing beyond his power that he can't work out. Jesus came to give us the right to be born not of human will and desire but of God (John 1:12). And we know Christ died for a new covenant, to establish a new will, dying on a cross so that through his blood we receive redemption, the forgiveness of our sin. Though you might not be mature yet, walking worthy and in the light, bearing fruit and practicing truth, filled with the fruit of righteousness, you have testimony inwardly you are a child of God and his promise is for you, "we will work it out." Not working for our salvation, but working out our salvation, that good work which he began in us (Philippians 2:12; Philippians 1:6). 

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure -Philippians 2:13

This is why we are under grace, that we are not trying to do things in our own power and strength, through religious activities, works, false humility, self-basement of the flesh, following elemental decrees... things that have no power to overcome the desires of the flesh. To get victory you must at first understand grace and how his power works in maturing us through grace (Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 12:9). God works things out according to our good and it is according to his good pleasure, that we are conformed to the image of Christ, becoming partakers of His divine nature, through grace. It is from the riches of His grace God has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings in Christ, so that in Christ he is working out all according to that which he purposed in Christ (Ephesians 1). 

for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5

I often experience what is called analysis paralysis, when overanalyzing or overthinking or not being able to discern a situation, which can cause me to become "paralyzed." An example was when I had been accepted into a seminary college. I wanted to make the right decision and things were not working out the way I thought. I needed to have my home renovations finished but health and financial circumstances were working against me so I could not attend and then I received two job offers. I was really torn about what to do and I remember God saying to me "I will be with you." It was like saying no matter what choice you make I am still with you. 

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

Paul prays that "God would grant us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing him, to the extent the eyes of our heart are enlightened so to know the hope of his calling, both the rich benefits of his power, to us who believe, according to the working of his mighty strength which he accomplished in Christ" (Ephesians 1:17-23). Knowing him is to know of his Spirit's power in our inner being, Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith, rooted and founded in love, so to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:14-21). A love that has such deep roots and firm foundation that nothing could ever separate us from it. No one knowing of this love of God that surpasses knowledge would fall away. God grants us this power, faith, love so that we grow strong in his power, prevail by God's strength and power (Ephesians 3:16). 

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful - 1 Corinthians 1:9

It is a mighty purpose that He purposed in Christ, for the children called, so that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calls, in order to make known the riches of his glory to those prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom he has called (Romans 9:11,23-24). It is what God purposed, and what God says to his children "we will work this out." For it is God working in us according to his good pleasure, to will and to work accordingly. God will work it out, a mind transformed, proven by fire, one that accepts his will as good, pleasing, and perfect. To his glory, Amen.

Another in the Fire