Balanced-and Blessed!
As Christians, we must work out our salvation with a tender conscience and watchfulness against temptations, trials, and testings, living a life that honors God and reflects the power of Christ.
Theodore Epp emphasizes the necessity for Christians to actively work out their salvation with a vigilant conscience, being mindful of temptations that could tarnish the name of Christ. He urges believers to reflect on their lives and consider if anything discredits their faith, especially in light of standing before a holy God at the Judgment Seat. Epp highlights the deceitfulness of the heart and the importance of maintaining a balance between divine enablement and human responsibility in our spiritual walk. He encourages a constant awareness of our actions and their impact on our testimony for Christ.
Text
Philippians 2:12-14; Jeremiah 6:9-15
Every Christian needs to work out his salvation with a tender conscience and a watchfulness against temptations, trials or testings, shrinking from whatever might offend God or discredit His name.
Each of us needs to seriously consider whether or not there is something in our lives that is discrediting the name and Person of Christ. When we realize what He has done for us, we ought to tremble as we stand in the presence of a holy, righteous, almighty God.
Not only do we stand in His presence now, but we will also stand in His presence when we give account at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
When others view our lives today, what do they see? What do they talk about? We should be constantly apprehensive of the deceitfulness of the flesh.
Jeremiah 17:9,10 says, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds" (NASB).
We need to develop a watchfulness in regard to the power in our corruption.
In all of this a perfect balance is kept--God gives the divine enablement; we provide the human responsibility. We are not to be totally passive, for after God works in us, we are to work it out through our lives.
"And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16).
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Working Out Salvation
- Considering Our Lives
- Accountability
- Stand in God's presence now and at the Judgment Seat of Christ
- Be constantly apprehensive of the deceitfulness of the flesh
- Tremble in the presence of a holy, righteous, almighty God
Key Quotes
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” — Theodore Epp
“I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds” — Theodore Epp
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Be constantly aware of the deceitfulness of the flesh and seek to live a life that is pleasing to God.
- Develop a watchfulness against temptations and trials by being mindful of your thoughts and actions.
- Strive to have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men.