Sunday Morning Work Out

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phillipians 2:12

Christianity is not a cookie-cutter faith. Salvation is an act of free will. How each individual experiences salvation is as unique as their fingerprints. Voluntary, unconditional surrender to Christ is the only common thread to run throughout. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is just that, a personal relationship.

My salvation belongs to me and no one else. It is my own garden to tend. I will reap what I sow. The kingdom of God is filled with love, mercy, and grace, but it has no welfare program. Everyone eats the fruit of his own labor, be it sweet or bitter.

Paradoxically, within this highly unique experience and personal journey is something Jude called “the common salvation”. Think about the sheer volume of the Bible for a moment. Now, think about Jesus’ summation of it all: love God with your entire being and your neighbor as yourself.

“Work out your own salvation…” is not the apostle’s way of saying forget everything that the Bible says and do things your own way. It’s an invitation to engage the Holy Spirit as your guide to living Jesus’ two commandment summary.

The only people I’ve ever heard say, “God doesn’t care about _____, (fill in the blank however you like) are those who have never consulted God on the subject at hand. The truth is that every single thing that concerns you in even the slightest fashion is important to God. Believe me, He has a preference. That preference may apply only to you. No matter. To ignore it is a rejection of God’s will for your life.

I am about to say something many Christians will find offensive, call judgmental, and reject as trivial. How you dress yourself matters to God. This is especially true when you enter the house of God. I do not believe God’s will for me in this matter is His will for everyone, except in the general principles involved.

I was introduced to dressing for God moments after I moved out of my dad’s house and into Uncle Sam’s. There were different clothes to be worn for different purposes and on different occasions. Proper attire was a sign of respect and obedience.

For many years, stepping into a church on Sunday morning has meant a minimum of a long-sleeved dress shirt, tie, slacks, and dress shoes. Does anyone have to dress that way to be right with God? Yes, even if no one else in the world does, I do. Appearing in the house of God means dressing my best as part of giving my best to God. He may see me every day wearing jeans, shorts, sneakers, and tee shirts. But I know (because He told me) God does not want to see me dressed the way when I drop by His house. He wants to see effort, thought, and care.

I cannot give God less respect than I have offered to men, not and tell myself that I love God with my entire being. If actions speak louder than words, what are you telling God when He is excluded from areas of your life while you testify that He just doesn’t care?

Maranatha