Feb 12, 2016 Words of Grace – When “Strive” and “Gospel” Go Together
“Strive together for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27) This verse is one place when the words “strive” and “gospel” should be kept together.
We never strive in our own moral goodness to earn our salvation. “By grace through faith” is the gospel message. But we always strive for the faith of the gospel. To strive is to compete for a win. We strive for the faith of the gospel when we live so the gospel will win.
Let the gospel win in your heart. Trust completely and only in the work of Jesus for you on the cross. Don’t trust in yourself. He is the only one who can forgive you and make you clean, and he will. Consider yourself spiritually alive because your Savior Jesus is alive in you. Remind yourself every day and every moment that you belong to Christ. Let this good news be a power in your heart that produces all kinds of goodness. Let love flow from you because the love of Christ has been set on you.
Let the gospel win in the Christian community. See the good news of Jesus as the main news of our church. Christians need the good news too so share it with each other in our church. Relate to one another in a way that promotes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Pray that good news will be what we give people who enter our doors.
Let the gospel win in our communities. The gospel wins because God causes it to do so. God uses Christians and churches that are being changed by his grace to give testimony to his power and love. Some people from the community will respond to this testimony with faith. The gospel will win in their lives. Let’s pray and live for the gospel to win in our community.
As you prepare for this Sunday at Grace, read 1 Thessalonians 1. This is a beautiful picture of the gospel winning in people, a church, and a community. Read it with someone and pray for Grace Community Church.
– Scott