For God’s Pleasure

Do you want to be ‘saved’ but live your life on your terms? Do you understand what an oxymoron is? ‘Oxymoron’ is a phrase using two contradictory words to create a meaning that doesn’t agree with the two words. ‘Saved’ and ‘on your terms’ are practical opposites for ‘saved’ means to recognize the sinfulness of your ways, repent your mindset and commit to living according to the image of Jesus. Every word of that is the opposite of ‘living your life on your terms’ for ‘there is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way to death’ ¹

When Paul encourages the Philippian disciples to continue in obedience to the LORD, he is not suggesting they save themselves but that they allow God to do the full work the LORD intends for their lives.

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. ²

‘It is God who works in you’ is our reminder that even in living the ‘saved’ life, we do not earn our salvation. Just as we receive it by faith in the grace gift of God, so we live by faith in the sufficiency of what God is doing in us. It is ‘both to will and to work’ that God does this in you to fulfill all His desires for you. It is ‘His good pleasure’ to see you live according to His intent and purpose.

Take a few moments to reflect on how you would feel that first moment the other side of Eternity when God is able to express ‘His good pleasure’ for the work you allowed Him to do in your life on this side of Eternity.
There is an old Hebrew term for this: “WOW!”