To Will And To Act

Philippians 2:12-16 - 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, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Galatians 5:6 - For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Matthew 5:48 - Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Ephesians 5:1-2 - Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Conclusions:

• Faith is not mere intellectual assent but a living trust in God’s grace that expresses itself in acts of love
• Christ sets up the high ideal of perfect love—not that we can fully attain it in this life
• Perfect love is God’s high standard for us
• One way of imitating God is to have a forgiving spirit
• The way we imitate our Lord is to act just as He did
• The sacrificial way Jesus expressed His love for us is not only the means of salvation but also an example of the way we are to live for the sake of others

Application:

• Do you have a living trust in God's grace that expresses itself in acts of love?
• Do you strive for perfect love?
• Do you express your love to others in a sacrificial way?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible