“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.’ ” (Luke 17:20-21 NKJV)
“So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].” (Philippians 2:12 AMP)
“Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” (Psalm 103:1-5 NLT)
We are “saved by Grace through faith,” however the “work” that we do with our salvation is critically important. When we make Jesus the Lord of our lives we are “saved” from some things “unto” some things. We have been given “great and precious promises.” We possess “benefits” and have had “all these things added” to our lives. Salvation is a gift, and in that package there are far more benefits than just being forgiven so that we can go to heaven some day. As a matter of fact, going to heaven is not the purpose of salvation. While my future home is a huge part of that for which I have been saved, bringing the Kingdom of Heaven into my life, and the lives of those around me, is actually the priority for today. The Apostle Paul was referring to a life process of taking what already dwells within my spirit (the kingdom of God) and bringing it out through my soul (mind) and body to the world in which I live. My life is to be fully immersed in daily “working out” my salvation (working in cooperation with Jesus to take what I possess on the inside and bring it into manifestation on the outside).
David listed the “benefits” of our salvation in Psalm 103. Jesus taught, and demonstrated, these “benefits” throughout His life and ministry.
…”forgives all my sins”… “Jesus said, ‘Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’…” (Luke 23:34a NLT); “Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ‘Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven…So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.’ Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat and go home!” (Matthew 9:2 , 6 NLT)
…”heals all my diseases”… “That evening many demon possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.” (Matthew 8:16 NLT); “Wherever he went – in villages, cities, or the countryside – they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.” (Mark 6:56 NLT)
…”redeems me from death”… “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24 NKJV); “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26 NKJV)
…”crowns me with love and tender mercies”… “But when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:4-6 NLT); “As the Father loved Me (Jesus), I also have loved you; abide in my love.” (John 15:9 NKJV)
…”fills my life with good things”… “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38 NKJV); “The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
Those who have Jesus as the Lord of their lives (of which I am one, are you?) already possess all of these “benefits” without limit or measure. All that Heaven has to offer is mine today. These things have been given to me, not only for my benefit, but for me to give away. Jesus made a statement that blows my mind: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12 NLT). I have been given the great privilege and responsibility to re-present Jesus to everyone I meet. Jesus commissioned me to share all of these benefits with a hurting world.
The rest of my life will be spent “working out my salvation” for the benefit of those in my life, and it begins with praying with expectation the prayer that Jesus modeled for His disciples, ” Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is the purpose behind..
Eric’s Life Lesson # 18: “Kingdom Work Out. (His pain, my gain)”