“Transformation into Christ’s likeness requires our effort, but the Lord does the work.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 27, 2026
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:12b-13
It is news to no one that, even when a person is redeemed by Christ, he or she still struggles with the flesh, the world, and the devil. Sanctification can feel like a slow and tedious uphill trek, with as many bumps in the road and regressions as raising a baby into an independent adult. As Christians, our struggle with our old sinful nature can lead us to slide into one of two attitudes that lead nowhere fast. We can become complacent, believing that Jesus has done all, so there’s nothing left for us to do but wait for the Kingdom Come. This is the attitude that says, “I am what I am, and God will just have to accept me that way.” The other attitude is that of discouragement, which describes the Christian who knows themselves to be falling pitifully short of Christ’s character and yet feels powerless to change. “What can I do?” says the discouraged Christian. “I’ve tried and tried, but I’ll never be good enough.”
The Apostle Paul addresses both of these attitudes with powerfully animating words for the complacent and wonderfully encouraging words for the discouraged. First he says to “work out your salvation” (12b). This verse has been misconstrued to suggest that we earn our salvation through works, but Paul makes it perfectly clear that it is “not by works” we are saved, but by grace, “so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nevertheless, Paul does commend working one’s salvation out. What does he mean? It’s been wisely said that the Bible is not against effort, but against earning. As recipients of God’s incredible, abundant grace through Christ, our allegiance is bound to the King, with all of our heart, soul, and might. Serving him means imitating him, which takes a great deal of effort for us whose natures are naturally self-serving. We must submit ourselves to spiritual disciplines and humble ourselves to serve if we are to call ourselves His. There is no room for complacency among Christians. But neither is there need to be discouraged. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act,” Paul reminds us. We can take heart knowing that the very desire to grow to be more like Jesus is a sure sign that God is already at work in us, and he has promised to complete the good work he began in us (Philippians 1:6)! As we take up our cross to follow Christ, we will find that it is his power holding up the weight and his Spirit transforming us step by step, renewing us day by day into the people he created and redeemed us to be.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you humbled yourself as a servant so that you could raise me up with you. Help me to shake off complacency and to run hard after you. Grant me the encouragement as I run to know that you are at work in me and will complete what you have begun. Amen.
Application
Are you frustrated and discouraged with your own shortcomings? Read through Philippians and take courage from the reminder that Jesus has won the battle and is for you. The victorious King is your help.
Related Reading
Isaiah 40:31; Matthew 4:19; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:16; Ephesians 4:23-24; Galatians 6:9
Worship Resource
Paul Zach: Just a Closer Walk With Thee
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