Humility

Philippians 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

"OK, so "Work out"? Does that mean we have to do something to be saved?"

Well, that would fly against all of scripture so, no.

"What does it mean then?"

Many moons ago, after hearing a message about the fear of God. I realized I wasn't afraid of God. I knew according to scripture I HAD to be... but I wasn't.

As with any of the tough questions, I went to the One who would know. "I am sorry Lord, I don't fear you. I know you are kind, wonderful, and have nothing but good in mind for me. What does it mean then to fear you?"

He responded immediately... "Depart from me, I never knew you".

Yes, it was a quote. A quote from Matthew 7:23

Matthew 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Once I heard Him say it, I was terrified!

The thought! The idea that I could be standing before Him, the Great White Throne and hear Him say to me... "I don't know you". It would be like coming home after going to the store only to hear Martha say "I don't love you, I never did".

OUCH!

Actually, it would be far worse. Not because the end result would be getting tossed into the Lake of Fire, but rather it would mean my relationship with Him, the greatest and best relationship I have ever had and will have... is a lie!

SUPER OUCH!

Can you see it? His message was clear to me. If I am afraid that I may or may not have a real relationship with Him, I am in a very good place. I HAVE the Fear of God.

If that phrase doesn't terrify you, you have a rather big problem.

It comes down to humility. I know I am not worthy to even say the name Jesus, let alone write it or think it! He IS God! The biggest and best being EVER. Me... I seem like an accident that came out of the mud, smelly and dirty.

Oh, He doesn't see me that way, of course not. He actually likes me!

You see knowing that His grace alone is what makes me valuable to Him, that I can and will do nothing to make Him look at me any better, or worse. It is humbling.

No, I am not afraid of hearing Him say that to me. I know Him. He knows me. I am absolutely sure of this.

"How?"

Because like it is written... I have worked out my salvation with humility, with fear and trembling. The result?

I have seen Him smile at me.

No, I have no idea why...