WORMWOOD!………. Try plan C
Philippians 2:12-15 Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
In the light of this scripture it must always be clear that Paul is not calling for you to earn, (work out) your Salvation. Paul has spent the prior verses pointing to the incarnation (God becoming man) of Christ, and his sacrifice on the cross to provide the salvation we cannot earn. Paul is encouraging us to develop, and work out the experience of the salvation; to draw closer to God as a result of it; to pursue God in all aspects of our lives in a loving response to it. This outpouring of a heart so moved by the realization of it, is a heart moved to service in thanksgiving for it. Even these tugs that we feel in our soul for these good works are planted there by God as shown in verse 13. He gives us these desires for good things; he provides this draw to God and the things of God from deep within.
Satan plants those selfish thoughts that we all battle. The “why me”, the complaining, the disputing, the list of the things that selfish thoughts distract. I have had my feelings hurt a few times this week in simple statements by friends; unknowingly by them, but Satan used them to hurt me. I could wallow in the pity; I could question and dispute; but I could also recognize it as an attack and give it over to Christ in prayer; Satan goes to plan B. If Satan entered the apostle Peter standing before Christ, do you not think he can use those closest to you to plant trouble in your heart? Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” When Satan’s sting comes in those close to us, it is many times more powerful that what we may expect from the world. Knowledge is our relationship with God, and discernment is the understanding our our relationships with each other from that knowledge.
Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Paul reiterates the words of Christ and the example of light. Our world is dark, exceeding dark in these days it seems. Satan seems to be peaking in the mayhem that has become the norm. As a Christian you are a light bearer in a dark world; you stick out in the crowd; you must pursue God daily to keep your light bright. Satan is constantly trying to cover your lamp, to take your eyes off Christ. Know that he is coming with a plan to dim that light and if plan A or B doesn’t work, he is already devising a plan C. You must prepare yourself by remaining close to the light source in His Word and prayer every day.
(Wormwood is a reference to CS Lewis’s book The Screwtape Letters)
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