Philippians 2:12-13
What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Our 18-month-old nephew Nathan is incredibly shy and does not like to interact with others. As his mother says, “He will charm the socks off you…but he’ll give you the evil eye while doing it!” And that’s if he will even look at you! When he finally learned to walk, he would only do so “in secret” for several months. If anyone spotted him walking…and certainly if we acknowledged it or praised him…he immediately sat down. Nathan truly proves the theory that every child is different. His personality is certainly not anything like that of Timothy and Zola – neither of whom ever meet a stranger!
When you think about it, little ones are often doing things “in secret” that they don’t want adults to see or hear. And I can tell you from my own teaching experience that children often behave in a totally different manner when they are at school or in public from how they act at home. And this speaks to the heart of what Paul is telling the Philippians in this scripture passage.
As disciples of Christ, it is important that we honor Him in our daily living. People are watching! But here’s the deal…we cannot drop our guard when we are in the privacy of our own home. We can’t smile and be kind to others when we meet them at school or in the grocery store…then make fun of them and/or curse them when we get in the car and drive away. We cannot be front and center at the latest community service or church mission project, and then refuse to help around the house – or act like we are entitled to special treatment with family and friends. The true measure of our faithfulness and devotion to Jesus Christ and His teachings is evidenced by how we live “in secret”.
When no one is around to tell you how wonderful you are, do you still pray for others…send them encouraging messages…offer to help – and follow through? Do you only serve in ministries with a high visibility? Are you just as eager to work “behind the scenes” in God’s army…or do you have to be “front and center” so that everyone can see what a wonderful, devoted “soldier” you are? Do you love as unconditionally…care as deeply…act as kindly…empathize and seek ways to share Jesus with others as fervently when no one is looking? Or do you require an audience in order to feel “generous”?
In other words, do you have God’s energy deep within you…a true urge to be vigorous in your life of salvation – “reverent and sensitive before God”? Do you earnestly seek to do even more in Jesus’ name when nobody is looking? When was the last time you did something for someone else that nobody knew about except that person and God? Can you see that these acts of compassion and ministry done “in secret” are the ones that please God the most?
Get in on this! Redouble your efforts to serve God… especially when nobody else is looking. Be the “real deal” for Him in all things…at all times…even “in secret”. Serve God with every ounce of energy you can muster…and discover what “responsive obedience” truly means.
©2014 Debbie Robus
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