It is the student who must learn
the lesson by J.R. Miller Work out your salvation
with fear and trembling Philippians 2 12 and 13 People sometimes think that salvation
imparts godly virtues, fine qualities of Christian character, lovely
traits of disposition, and elements of spiritual beauty, without
any cost or effort to the believer himself. Christ's followers are
transformed. Old things pass away, and all
things become new. Those who believe in Him are
fashioned into His image. But these blessings do not come
easily. The heavenly graces are not put
into our life as one might hang up lovely pictures on the walls
to adorn a home. They must be wrought into our
life, in a sense by our own hands. We must work out our own salvation,
although it is God who works in us both to will and to work. For example, patience is not
put into anyone's life, as one brings in a piece of new furniture.
You cannot merely receive patience as a gift from God. Patience
is a lesson to be learned through long and watchful self-discipline. Christ is the teacher, but you
are the student, and it is the student who must learn the lesson. Not even Christ will learn it
for you, to spare you the effort. Nor can it be made an easy lesson
for you. It costs to grow patient, and
you must pay the price yourself. The same is true of all the elements
of a godly and worthy character. We are always at school in this
world. God is teaching us the things
we need to learn. The lessons are not easy. Sometimes
they are very hard. But the hardest lessons are the
best, for they bring out in us the finest qualities, if only
we will learn them well. Those, therefore, who find themselves
in what may seem adverse conditions, compelled to face hardship, endure
opposition, and pass through struggle, should quietly accept
the responsibility, and trusting in Christ for guidance and strength,
go firmly and courageously forward, conscious that they have now
an opportunity to grow strong and develop in themselves the
qualities of worthy and noble character.