I am accountable to God for the way I control my body under His authority. Paul said he did not “set aside the grace of God”— make it ineffective (Galatians 2:21). The grace of God is absolute and limitless, and the work of salvation through Jesus is complete and finished forever. I am not being saved— I am saved. Salvation is as eternal as God’s throne, but I must put to work or use what God has placed within me. To “work out [my] own salvation” (Philippians 2:12) means that I am responsible for using what He has given me. It also means that I must exhibit in my own body the life of the Lord Jesus, not mysteriously or secretly, but openly and boldly. “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection . . .” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Every Christian can have his body under absolute control for God. God has given us the responsibility to rule over all “the temple of the Holy Spirit,” including our thoughts and desires (1 Corinthians 6:19). We are responsible for these, and we must never give way to improper ones. But most of us are much more severe in our judgment of others than we are in judging ourselves. We make excuses for things in ourselves, while we condemn things in the lives of others simply because we are not naturally inclined to do them.

Paul said, “I beseech you…that you present your bodies a living sacrifice…” (Romans 12:1). What I must decide is whether or not I will agree with my Lord and Master that my body will indeed be His temple. Once I agree, all the rules, regulations, and requirements of the law concerning the body are summed up for me in this revealed truth-my body is “the temple of the Holy Spirit.”

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December 5 2014

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, this feels like one of those devotions or sermons that tell me that while Jesus has paid the price and “it is finished”; we are still responsible for working out our salvation. I am still responsible for doing the “right thing” that I must discipline myself and bring my thoughts and actions….and body under subjection. Where does the sacrifice of Jesus end and my part begin? Did Jesus save me then leave me to my own devices to live it out?

And God says…”Greater is He living inside of you than he that is living in this world.  When you accept Jesus, all things are made new, all things; your past, present and future. You live out your salvation and demonstrate your discipline in only one way, you surrender to Jesus and let the Spirit of God live through you. I will do the changing; I will do the “working out”. I will transform you over time.  Your part of “working out your salvation” is in fact learning to “do nothing” but trust Me completely. All you are to do is to be connected to Me. Trust in Me with all your heart and do not rely on your own strength, power and discipline and I will make your paths straight. Be in relationship with Me.”