by John Lynch, Bruce McNicol, Bill Thrall
In Chapter One of this book we're introduced to the truth that believers are New Creations and have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. So, religious systems meant to create behavioral conformity not only are unnecessary, they're even harmful.
Religious leaders can mistakenly operate with the assumption that "people are immature, lazy and....They'll abuse as soon as they can. They'll live Christianity-lite. These people are weak and want to do whatever they want (p19.)"
However, as I talk with people who have genuinely put their trust in Christ (not those who were coerced into a spiritual commitment,) I see people who want to walk with Christ and to know Him and experience the blessings of intimacy with Him. These are people who also have the Holy Spirit in them, so my assumption needs to be that God is at work in them.
Phil. 1:3-6 says,
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
I'm impressed with the confidence that Paul is expressing in the Philippian believers which is obviously tied to his confidence in God. He knows that God has the power and He has the desire to work from the inside out in the lives of his children. So we realize that God uses us, but He doesn't need us to bring about spiritual development in others...what a relief!
"Dear God, help me to trust that your Spirit in me and in others is sufficient to do the work of sanctification."
