This week Bro. Leo continues us on our study of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus, by looking at how God works in our lives. Can you identify the areas in your life where God is doing a work in? Is there areas in your life where God is not working and why is that?

Last week looked at the Biblical identification of every true born again Christian. Col.3:1-4 identifies Christian’s lives are covered by Christ’ life. Our life is no longer ours, it is now our life in Christ. Our self identity as my life in Christ gives me my self worth, self esteem and self purpose as long as it’s based on my life in Christ. We should identify as a born again, spirit indwelt child of God (John 3, Rom.8, Eph.2). We are to take seriously our relationship with God. We must realize that God desires and is working in us and is for us and through us (Phil.2:12-13). God has a plan and purpose for our lives and we need to be seeking it out.

Three results from God working in us, on us and through us:
1) we will be blessed
2) God will be glorified
3) others will be ministered to

In Phil.2:12-13 tells us that God works in our daily lives if we allow Him to (work out your own salvation). It’s common among Christians to only see Jesus at the moment of their salvation and they see Him in Heaven, but they fail to see Him working in their day to day lives (Phil.1:6). Rom.8:9, Gal.4:6, Col.1:27 tells us that the Holy Spirit must be indwelling us if we are in fact a Christian, so we need to know without a doubt whether or not the Holy Spirit is indwelling us (2Cor.13:5, Acts 19:2, Heb.5:11-14).

In 1Thes.5:12-24 we find 17 directives (work out our salvation) that we must do (vs.12-22) in order to allow God to work in us (vs.23-24). God is faithful to His work in every area of our lives, but we must be willing to have God search us and reveal to us the areas we need to turn over to Him and then ask Him to do a work in those areas (Psa.139:23). The word “search” in Psa.139:23 is translated from the Hebrew word “châqar” which means to search out diligently and deeply. The word “know” in Psa.139:23 is translated from the Hebrew word “yâda‛” which means to consider and reveal my heart. The word “try” in Psa.139:23 is translated from the Hebrew word “bâchan” which means to test or examine. The word “see” in Psa.139:24 is translated from the Hebrew word “râ’âh” which means reveal to me what you see.

There are four reasons why we do not seek God’s work in every area of our lives. 1) not been taught that God desires to be in action in every area of our lives 2) don’t want God to work in some areas of our life, because we think we’re okay handling it on our own 3) we think we’re not good enough or worthy enough for God work in us 4) not willing to do our part so that God can do a work in those areas of our lives.

Scriptures used in today’s study:

Php 2:12 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.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Heb 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1Th 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1Th 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
1Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
1Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psa 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Php 2:12 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.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.