Radio Pulpit

‘Work out your salvation.’ Philippians 2:12 NIV

God’s part and our part

Paul writes: ‘Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose’ (vv. 12-13 NIV). Salvation is a gift from God, so you can’t work for it – but you can work on it. How do you do that? The same way you work out your muscles. If you want to get into good shape, you’ve got to exercise! And the more you do it, the stronger you become. You’ve got to take your faith to the gym and bench press it. It will involve some trembling – that’s what muscles do when they are pushed to their limit. But that’s how they grow stronger. And as you keep doing it, today’s faith ceiling will become tomorrow’s faith floor. Paul writes: ‘For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son’ (Romans 8:29 NIV). The ‘predestined’ part is God’s part, and the ‘conformed’ part is our part. A good example of this is the oft-repeated maxim: ‘Pray like it depends on God, and work like it depends on you.’ If you only do one or the other, it will result in half-baked spirituality. Our destiny is to be conformed to the image of Christ. And God will use any circumstance, good or bad, to accomplish that objective. Hence, Paul writes: ‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation”. Then you will shine…like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life’ (Philippians 2:14-16 NIV).

“…Deur ‘n leefstyl wat vol ontsag en eerbied vir God is, moet julle wys dat julle gered is.” Filippense 2:12 NLV

God se deel en ons deel

Paulus skryf: ‘…Deur ‘n leefstyl wat vol ontsag en eerbied vir God is, moet julle wys dat julle gered is. Dit is mos God wat julle gewillig maak om te doen waarvan Hy hou…’ (verse 12-13 NLV). Verlossing is ‘n gawe van God, dus kan jy nie daarvoor werk nie - maar jy kan daaraan werk. Hoe doen jy dit? Net soos jy jou spiere oefen. As jy fiks wil word, moet jy oefen! Hoe meer jy oefen, hoe sterker word jy. Jy moet jou geloof gimnasium toe neem en dit begin oefen. Dit sal ‘n bietjie bewerasie veroorsaak - dis wat spiere doen wanneer hulle tot hul uiterste gebruik word. Dis egter hoe hulle sterker word. Soos jy aanhou oefen, sal vandag se geloofsplafon môre se geloofsvloer word. Paulus skryf: ‘Want God het hulle reeds vooruit geken, en Hy het hulle aangewys om soos sy Seun te word…’ (Romeine 8:29 NLV). God het ons reeds vooruit geken en ons moet ons deel doen deur soos sy Seun te word. ‘n Goeie voorbeeld hiervan is die volgende gesegde: ‘Bid asof dit van God afhang en werk asof dit van jou afhang.’ As jy net die een of die ander doen, sal dit tot halfgebakte geestelikheid lei. Ons doelwit is om gelyk met die beeld van Christus te word. God sal enige omstandigheid, goed of sleg, gebruik om daardie doelwit te bereik. Daarom skryf Paulus: ‘Doen alles sonder kla of teëpraat. Dan sal julle as onberispelike kinders van God bo verdenking staan. Julle sal skoon lewe in ‘n wêreld vol oneerlike en perverse mense. Skyn in hierdie donker wêreld soos helder sterre, deur noukeurig te leef volgens die boodskap wat tot die lewe lei…’ (Filippense 2:14-16 NLV).

‘We are careful to be honourable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honourable.’ 2 Corinthians 8:21 NLT

Always do the honourable thing

In an extensive opinion survey from 1991 called The Day America Told the Truth, James Patterson and Peter Kim reported these startling findings. Only 13 per cent of those interviewed believed that all Ten Commandments are still binding and relevant today. Ninety-one per cent admitted that they lied regularly, both at home and at work. Most workers admitted to skiving off an average of seven hours a week. About half of the workforce admitted they regularly called in sick, even when they felt well. When they were asked what they would be willing to do for ten million dollars, 25 per cent said they would abandon their families, 23 per cent said they’d be willing to work as a prostitute for a week, and 7 per cent said they’d be willing to murder a stranger! And should you conclude that those surveyed are the unsaved and the unchurched, Doug Sherman and William Hendricks surveyed Christians and found that they were almost as likely as unbelievers to do these things too. They admitted to stealing in the workplace, falsifying their tax returns, and selectively obeying the laws. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: ‘We are careful to be honourable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honourable.’ Then he wrote to the Christians in Rome: ‘Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you’ (Romans 12:2 NLT). So always do the honourable thing.

“Ons is daarop bedag om eerbaar voor die Here op te tree, maar ook voor die mense.” 2 Korintiërs 8:21 NV

Doen altyd die eerbare ding

In ‘n uitgebreide meningsopname in 1991 genaamd The Day America Told the Truth, het James Patterson en Peter Kim die volgende verrassende bevindinge gerapporteer. Slegs 13 persent van diegene wat ondervra is, het geglo dat al Tien Gebooie vandag nog bindend en relevant is. Een-en-negentig persent het erken dat hulle gereeld by die huis en werk lieg. Die meeste werkers het erken dat hulle gemiddeld sewe uur per week by die werk sit en niksdoen. Ongeveer die helfte van die werksmag het erken dat hulle gereeld siekverlof neem, selfs wanneer hulle nie siek is nie. Toe hulle gevra is wat hulle bereid sou wees om vir tien miljoen dollar te doen, het 25 persent gesê dat hulle bereid sou wees om hul families te verlaat, 23 persent het gesê dat hulle bereid sou wees om vir ‘n week as ‘n prostituut te werk, en 7 persent het gesê dat hulle bereid sou wees om ‘n vreemdeling te vermoor! Moet ook nie aanneem dat dit net ongelowiges was wat so gereageer het nie. Doug Sherman en William Hendricks het spesifiek Christene ondervra en bevind dat hulle amper net so geneig as ongelowiges was om hierdie dinge te doen. Hulle het erken dat hulle by die werk steel, hul belastingopgawes vervals en wette selektief gehoorsaam. Paulus het aan die Korintiërs geskryf: ‘Ons is daarop bedag om eerbaar voor die Here op te tree, maar ook voor die mense.’ Toe het hy aan die Christene in Rome geskryf: ‘Moenie julle leefstyl aanpas by die gedragspatrone van hierdie wêreld nie, maar laat God julle omvorm deurdat Hy julle denkpatrone vernuwe. Dan sal julle goed kan onderskei wat Hý wil hê dat julle moet doen…’ (Romeine 12:2 NLV). Doen dus altyd die eerbare ding.

‘When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised”.’ Colossians 2:11 NLT

How to thrive in enemy territory (2)

Before allowing His people to conquer and inhabit the Promised Land, God commanded all the males to be circumcised (see Joshua 5:2). Circumcision was first introduced by God to Abraham as ‘a sign of the covenant between Me and you’ (Genesis 17:11 NKJV). The act of circumcision meant they were set apart from the surrounding nations who didn’t know God and that they belonged to Him. During the wilderness wanderings, the Hebrews let this practice lapse. But before they began their new life in Canaan, God introduced it to them again as a condition for enjoying a covenant relationship with Him. What’s the secret of survival in enemy territory? First, remember what God has done for you. Second, remember whose you are. The Hebrews did what God commanded – and God protected them and gave them spectacular victories over their enemies. ‘So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan…their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel’ (Joshua 5:1 NKJV). Their devotion to God brought protection from God. And it still works that way. ‘Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you’ (James 4:7-8 NKJV). These Scriptures teach that when you are surrendered to God, He gives you the power to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil.

“Omdat julle één is met Christus is julle ook besny…” Kolossense 2:11 NLV

Hoe om in ‘n vyandelike gebied te floreer (2)

Voordat God sy volk toegelaat het om die Beloofde Land te verower en te bewoon, het Hy beveel dat alle mans besny moes word (sien Josua 5:2). Die besnydenis is aanvanklik deur God aan Abraham bekendgestel as ‘n teken van die verbond tussen God en hom (sien Genesis 17:11). Die besnydenis het beteken dat hulle van die omliggende nasies wat God nie geken het nie afgesonder was en dat hulle aan Hom behoort het. Tydens die woestynomswerwinge het die Hebreërs hierdie praktyk laat vaar. Voordat hulle egter hul nuwe lewe in Kanaän kon begin, het God dit weer aan hulle as voorwaarde om ‘n verbondsverhouding met Hom te geniet, bekendgestel. Wat is die geheim van oorlewing in vyandelike gebied? Eerstens, onthou wat God vir jou gedoen het. Tweedens, onthou wie s’n jy is. Die Hebreërs het gedoen wat God beveel het - en God het hulle beskerm en hulle skouspelagtige oorwinnings oor hul vyande gegee. ‘Al die konings van die Amoriete wat wes van die Jordaan bly en al die konings van die Kanaäniete wat by die Middelandse See bly, het gehoor hoe God die water van die Jordaan voor die Israeliete laat wegdroog het… Hulle harte het gekrimp. Hulle het nie kans gesien om teen die Israeliete te veg nie’ (Josua 5:1 NLV). Hul toewyding aan God het beskerming van God meegebring. Dit werk steeds so. ‘Wys dus dat julle van God afhanklik is deur na Hom te luister. Weerstaan die duiwel en hy sal van julle wegvlug. Kom nader aan God, en Hy sal nader aan julle kom…’ (Jakobus 4:7-8 NLV). Hierdie Skrifgedeeltes leer ons dat wanneer jy jouself aan God oorgee, Hy jou die krag sal gee om die wêreld, die vlees en die duiwel te oorwin.

‘I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ Joshua 5:9 NKJV

How to thrive in enemy territory (1)

When Israel entered the Promised Land, there were thirty-one kings who had to be conquered. That means they’d be living in enemy territory. God told Joshua to ‘circumcise the sons of Israel’ (Joshua 5:2 NKJV). When it was done, the Lord said, ‘This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.’ The ‘reproach of Egypt’ was the humiliation of slavery they’d endured for 400 years; now it was time to reclaim their birthright as God’s chosen people. Circumcision, then, was a symbolic separation from the past and a declaration of a new identity: no longer a slave, but free. What about your old temptations, lusts, and shortcomings? He detached you from their power! It cannot be stated too often or too clearly – you are not the person you used to be! When Christ died, you died. When Christ was buried, you were buried. When Christ rose from the dead, you rose with Him. ‘You put off…the old man’ and ‘put on the new’ (Ephesians 4:22, 24 NKJV). Satan is called ‘the tempter’ and ‘the accuser’. When he comes against you in either role, tell him: ‘I have been bought with a price. I belong to God’ (see 1 Corinthians 6:20). ‘I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind’ (see 2 Timothy 1:7). ‘I cannot be separated from the love of God’ (see Romans 8:35). ‘I can find grace and mercy in the time of need’ (see Hebrews 4:16). ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).

“…Ek het julle vandag bevry van die vernedering van Egipte…” Josua 5:9 NLV

Hoe om in ‘n vyandelike gebied te floreer (1)

Toe Israel die Beloofde Land binnegegaan het, was daar een-en-dertig konings wat verower moes word. Dit beteken dat hulle in ‘n vyandelike gebied sou moes woon. God het vir Josua gesê om die Israeliete te besny (Josua 5:2 NLV). Toe dit klaar was, het die Here gesê: ‘Ek het julle vandag bevry van die vernedering van Egipte.’ Die ‘vernedering van Egipte’ was die vernedering van slawerny wat hulle 400 jaar lank verduur het; nou was dit tyd om hul eersgeboortereg as God se uitverkore volk op te eis. Die besnydenis was dus ‘n simboliese skeiding van die verlede en ‘n verklaring van ‘n nuwe identiteit: nie meer ‘n slaaf nie, maar vry. Wat van jou ou versoekings, welluste en tekortkominge? God het jou uit hulle mag bevry! Toe Christus gesterf het, het jy gesterf. Toe Christus begrawe is, is jy begrawe. Toe Christus uit die dood opgestaan het, het jy saam met Hom opgestaan. ‘…wat julle vroeëre leefstyl betref, [moet julle] die ou, sondige mens soos vuil klere… uittrek… Ja, trek die nuwe mens soos skoon klere aan…’ (Efesiërs 4:22, 24 NLV). Satan word ‘die versoeker’ en ‘die aanklaer’ genoem. Wanneer hy in enige van dié twee rolle voor jou staan, sê vir hom: ‘Ek is teen ‘n duur prys gekoop. Ek behoort aan God’ (sien 1 Korintiërs 6:20). ‘Ek is nie ’n gees van skugterheid gegee nie, maar een van krag en liefde en selfbeheersing’ (sien 2 Timoteus 1:7). ‘Ek kan nie van God se liefde geskei word nie’ (sien Romeine 8:35). ‘Ek kan op die regte tyd God se deernis en onverdiende goedheid ontvang’ (sien Hebreërs 4:16). ‘Ek kan onder alle omstandighede regkom deur Hom wat my krag gee’ (sien Filippense 4:13).

‘Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.’ 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT

In all things, seek to please God!

A young man studied violin under a world-renowned violinist and master teacher. He worked hard for several years perfecting his talent. The day finally came when he was called upon to give his first major public recital in a large city where both he and his teacher lived. Following each selection, which he performed with great skill and passion, the performer seemed uneasy about how to handle all the applause he was receiving. Even though he knew that those in the audience were musically astute and not likely to give such applause to a less than superior performance, the young man acted almost as if he couldn’t hear the appreciation that was being showered upon him. At the close of the last number he performed, the applause was thunderous, and numerous ‘bravos’ were shouted. The talented young violinist had his eyes glued, however, on only one spot. Finally, when an elderly man in the first row of the balcony smiled and nodded to him in approval, the young man relaxed and beamed with both relief and joy. His teacher had praised his work! The applause of thousands meant nothing to him until he had first won the approval of his master. That was Paul’s aim too, and it should be yours. ‘For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts’ (v. 4 NLT). So the word for today is this: in all things, seek to please God!

“…Ons doel is nie om mense tevrede te stel nie, maar God. Hy ondersoek die motiewe van ons harte.” 1 Tessalonisense 2:4 NLV

Streef daarna om God in alles tevrede te stel!

‘n Jong man het onder ‘n wêreldbekende violis en meesteronderwyser studeer om die viool te bemeester. Hy het jare lank hard gewerk om sy talent te vervolmaak. Die dag het uiteindelik aangebreek toe hy gevra is om sy eerste groot openbare uitvoering in ‘n groot stad waar beide hy en sy onderwyser gewoon het, te gee. Na elke lied, wat hy met groot vaardigheid en passie uitgevoer het, het die jong man ongemaklik gelyk oor hoe om al die applous wat hy ontvang het, te hanteer. Alhoewel hy geweet het dat diegene in die gehoor musikaal geletterd was en nie geneig was om sulke applous vir ‘n minder as uitmuntende uitvoering te gee nie, het die jong man amper opgetree asof hy nie die waardering kon hoor wat op hom uitgestort word nie. Aan die einde van die laaste nommer wat hy uitgevoer het, was die applous dawerend en talle ‘bravo!’s het deur die saal weerklink. Die talentvolle jong violis het egter sy oë net op een plek gerig. Uiteindelik, toe ‘n bejaarde man in die eerste ry van die balkon glimlag en vir hom in goedkeuring knik, het die jong man ontspan en begin straal van beide verligting en vreugde. Sy onderwyser het sy werk goedgekeur! Die applous van duisende het niks vir hom beteken, totdat hy die goedkeuring van sy meester ontvang het nie. Dit was ook Paulus se doel, en dit behoort joune ook te wees. ’Nee, ons praat omdat God ons gekeur het. Hy het die Goeie Nuus aan ons toevertrou. Ons doel is nie om mense tevrede te stel nie, maar God. Hy ondersoek die motiewe van ons harte’ (vers 4 NLV). Die woord vir vandag is dus: streef daarna om God in alles tevrede te stel!