Philippians 2:12
Therefore… Work Out

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

The salvation of an assembly begins in the mind of each believer and works out in a visible way to an appropriate conclusion. An assembly is for God’s pleasure and He gives the desire and power to do what pleases Him. Disunity is a snare to the whole assembly, because broken relationships stops positive activity in the Gospel and affects our spiritual growth. Testimony and worship in spirit and truth are effectively stopped by disunity. The salvation of a struggling testimony has to be “worked out” by wise leaders of the local assembly, not itinerant preachers. Local elders who know the people and the problem need to submit to God’s guidance to motivate them and show them what to do.

To humble minds and hearts that are warmed
With thoughts of what Christ has done –
The problems that arise in a local church
Can be faced and finished, making us again as one.

Not all leaders have an immediate answer
To issues that potentially divide –
But then we face them with humility –
The Holy Spirit is here to guide.

There is a solution to the differences of opinion
That sets one person against another –
Look for evidences of Christ in their life –
And remember, they are a sister and brother.

We cannot also look to others to solve
Problems that cause inner strife.
Believers have the Spirit, the Father and the Son –
Each one is a source of life.

Division is like death, it causes separation;
Unity of life comes from God alone.
With fear and trembling; attention and devotion –
The problem of division is soon done.

“There are times when division seems so inevitable Father that I despair of an answer. And then when reading passages like this, I take heart, trust in Thee and pray in faith. This assembly is suffering the effects of division that happened 30 years ago. If there is an answer to our numerical weakness, please send it soon, I pray; in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”

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