Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

It was a great cruise, but I am glad to be back home to resume writing these daily devotions.  Today’s devotion is appropriate reminder to me, as I get back, that whatever work we do for God that we should do it in faith and not only out of as sense of duty.

 

There is a difference between those who work just out of a sense of a duty and those who work out of faith (in addition to that sense of duty).  In today’s Scripture, Paul showed his faith in God’s work through him for the Corinthians.  First, he mentions their faith (“your faith”).  Second, he identifies his group as “workers with you for your joy”.  Third, he concludes:  “in your faith you are standing firm”.  

 

“To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi” (to whom Paul also ministered), Paul states:  “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.     

 

Hebrews Chapter 11 contains the Hall of Fame of Triumphs of Faith.  “For by it (faith) the men of old gained approval.”  Hebrews 11:2.  “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6.  

 

And so, whether we are returning from vacation or just returning to work after an ordinary weekend, we work in faith that God is at work in us (“… for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13).  We work in faith that God will bear fruit out of our work (“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.”  Matthew 7:17)  “I am the vine, you are the branches;  he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5  “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”  John 15:8  “Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”