Philippians 2:12-18.

One definition of obedience is to do what you are told, when you are told, and with a right attitude. I think Paul would like this definition, as it meshes with our reading today. The good news is that God not only wants us to obey, He gives us help to do so.

Jesus gifts us with salvation, but He doesn’t leave us to figure out life on our own. God leads, God guides, and God provides. God guides us as we seek Him. God provides in ways we could never imagine.

This life anchored in Jesus, the Living Word, is full of choppy water. Paul reminds us to hold on to Jesus, and to shine bright in the dark world. How do we do this? We make sure the way we live aligns with Jesus.

As we seek to hold tight to Jesus, we measure our effectiveness by, as one Nazarene theologian says, “We look to Jesus, we look at ourselves, and we confess the difference.” To do that, we must know Jesus and be willing to recognize our own shortcomings. As we do so, we can invite the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus.

Author: Amy Scarlett