“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
The question of our will – some refer to as “free will” but that is not exactly correct in the way most think free will is. We struggle to make our will and God’s will one and the same with each other. When our will agrees with God we find within our natural selves a disposition which leaves us incapable on our own to do what we know we ought to do (Romans 7:15-25). God saves us by His grace through the atonement of Jesus; He does the work in us so that it becomes our will to do for His good pleasure; but we have to work out that salvation in practical living. We have to work out with deliberation and attention what God works in; we are not to work for own salvation, but, allowing the proper result we work it out through life practice. With undaunted faith in the complete and perfect work of the Lord for our Salvation God’s will becomes our will. We must avoid bringing an opposing will to God’s will. God’s will brings our natural desires and choices in line with His will, and the life is as natural as breathing.
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Esengo Mingi 