Spiritual Dictionary Section W-3
Working out your own salvation - "...Paul holds up the standard of perfection and shows how it may be reached. "Work out your own salvation," he says, "for it is God which worketh in you." (Philippians 2:12-13)
The work of gaining salvation is one of copartnership, a joint operation. There is to be co-operation between God and the repentant sinner. This is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom, compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness.
God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and faculties given to man. Of ourselves, we are not able to bring the purposes and desires and inclinations into harmony with the will of God; but if we are "willing to be made willing," the Saviour will accomplish this for us, "Casting down imaginations, and every high things that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." II Corinthians 10:5
He who would build up a strong, symmetrical character, he who would be a well-balanced Christian, must give all and do all for Christ; for the Redeemer will not accept divided service. Daily he must learn the meaning of self-surrender. He must study the word of God, learning its meaning and obeying its precepts. Thus he may reach the standard of Christian excellence. Day by day God works with him, perfecting the character that is to stand in the time of final test. And day by day the believer is working out before men and angels a sublime experiment, showing what the gospel can do for fallen human beings." AA 482-483
Working out your own salvation - "As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances. Some I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them." EW 270
Works - God's - Physical and spiritual actions that reveal the character and goals of God. CO
Creation. Genesis 1&2; Psalms 104
Salvation. Genesis 3; Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
The Flood. Genesis 6-9
Deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Exodus - Deuteronomy; Psalms 78,105-106
Deliverance of Canaan to Israel. Joshua
Exaltation of Israel under David and Solomon. I Chronicles 11-II Chronicles 9:23
Mercy of God in His dealings with Israel and Judah. II Kings, I&II Chronicles, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
God's prophecy of Bablyon and the Restoration of Israel from Babylon after the 70 year prophecy. Jeremiah 25:1-14; Daniel 1-9; Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
God's mercy toward Israel in giving them 490 years of grace. Daniel 8-9
God's works on display in the life and death of Jesus. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
God sends His disciples to tell about Him and reveal His character in their lives. Acts-Revelation.
God reveals the future for the last generations so that they will believe in Him and prepare to meet Him in the clouds. Revelation 1-22
Works – Righteous – Deeds conducted out of an awareness, appreciation of, and love for God. God inspires the deeds, man responds to God’s inspiration, and carries out the activities under the direction and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. CO
God gives the earth and the dominion over it to man. Genesis 1:26-28
Adam and Eve to dress and keep the garden of Eden, and they are not to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and they were to eat of the tree of life. Genesis 2:19-20; 3:22-24
Adam named the animals in Eden. Genesis 2:19-20
Adam and Eve accepted the garments of righteousness that Jesus made for them. Genesis 3:21
Abel sacrificed in a manner that God could approve of. Genesis 4:1-4; Hebrews 11:4
Enoch walked with God and He took him. Genesis 5;21-24; Hebrews 11:5
Noah obeyed God, built the ark, and went into the ark. Genesis 6:8-22; 7:13-16; Hebrews 11:7
Noah responds to God’s covenant. Genesis 9:1-17
Abram obeys God and comes out of Chaldea (Babylon). Genesis 12:1-5; Hebrews 11:8-10
Abraham, and his disciples, obey the covenant of circumcision. Genesis 17
Abraham offers Isaac in obedience to the commands of Jesus. Genesis 22:1-19; Hebrews 11:17-19; James 2:20-26
Abraham obeyed God’s voice, kept God’s charge, His commandments, statutes, and laws. Genesis 26:5
Isaac digs the wells that Abraham had dug. Genesis 26
Jacob obeys the command of God to return to the land of his kindred. Genesis 31:3-13
Jacob wrestles with Jesus. Genesis 32:24-31; Hosea 12:3-4
Jacob’s people obey him and surrender their idols(their jewelry). Genesis 35:1-5
Joseph reveals Jesus to Egypt and to the world. Genesis 41&47
Joseph tests the 11 brothers. Genesis 42-45
Israel responds to God and His servant Moses regarding the plagues. Exodus 4-14
Israel asks for jewels from Egypt and keep all aspects of the Passover. Exodus 11&12
Israel crosses the Red Sea by faith. Exodus 14; Hebrews 11:29
Israel receives the law of God at Sinai. Exodus 19-20
Israel drinks the gold, and walks over the line, and then is willing to discipline their brothers after the golden calf. Exodus 32:19-29
Israel re-covenants with God and cooperates with the building of the wilderness sanctuary. Exodus 33-Numbers 9
Israel cooperates with God by crossing over the Jordan river. Joshua 3-5
Rahab experiences salvation by faith and works. Joshua 2; 6:17,22-25; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:24-25
Israel conquers Jericho by faith and works. Joshua 5&6; Hebrews 11:30
Ruth displays evangelism on a personal level by her faith and her works. Ruth 1:15-18; 2:1-20; 3:1-5
Reigns of King David and King Solomon were pleasing to God and people were drawn to Jesus by their devotion to Him. I Kings 14:8; I Chronicles 28:6-10; I Chronicles 29: I Kings 11:1-24
Solomon builds the temple. I Kings 5-8; II Chronicles 1-8
Asa trusts God to war against Zerah the Ethiopian. II Chronicles 14&15
Jehosophats reign. II Chronicles 17
Jehosophat, and his people, sing unto the Lord for deliverance. II Chronicles 20
Israel obeys the prophet Oded and releases the captives of Judah. II Chronicles 28:1-15
Hezekiah and his righteous works. II Chronicles 29-32
Elijah’s works of rightousness. I Kings 17-19; II Kings 2
Elisha’s ministry. II Kings 2:1-8:15; II Kings 13:1-21
Manasseh’s good works. II Chronicles 33:11-17
The people are willing to leave Babylon and come to Israel and rebuilt the temple. Ezra
The people are willing to leave Babylon and rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah
Listings of what God requires of His people. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Isaiah 33:15; Isaiah 65:17-23; Deuteronomy 10:12-22; Micah 6:8; Ezekiel 33:14-15; Luke 3:10-14; Matthew 5-7; James 1:27; I Timothy 3; Jeremiah 7:1-7 – this list includes the following:
To turn from your sins.
Restore the pledge.
Give to people who have need.
Do violence to no man.
Help widows.
Love righteousness.
Serve God.
To care for your neighbor.
The life of Jesus revealed many good works. John 6;21,23; John 9:1-7; John 10:32; John 21:24-25
The work of God – that you believe on him whom He hath sent. John 6:29
Disciples enabled to do many mighty works through the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1-28
Converts are the sign of Paul’s works. I Corinthians 9:1
God grants grace so that you might abound in good works. II Corinthians 9:8
Spiritual gifts given to conduct the works of God. Ephesians 4:11-16
God judges His people by the works and the spirit of the works. I Corinthians 13; Matthew 25:31-40
Jesus is glorified and honored by the works He has done in our hearts and lives. Ezekiel 36; II Thessalonians 1:12; Galatians 2:20
Jesus is honored above all names for His works. Revelation 15:1-4
Works – Unrighteous – Deeds done in the heart and in the flesh; activities which reveal a direct rebellion against the revealed will of God or a misguided attempt at taking care of sin without the help, guidance and power of Jesus. CO
Adam and Eve eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 3:1-11
Adam and Eve make fig leaf coverings – Old Covenant behavior. Genesis 3:7
Cain rebels against the worship of God. Genesis 4:1-16
Man rebels against God and requires their destruction in the flood. Genesis 6:1-7
Man again rebels against the instructions of God in congregating at the tower of Babel. Genesis 11:1-9
Abram listens to Sarai and has a child by Hagar – the Egyptian: Abram’s attempt at righteousness by works. Genesis 16; Galatians 4:22-31
Jacob deceives Esau and Isaac. Genesis 27
Sons of Jacob practice evil toward the Shechemites and against Joseph. Genesis 34&37
Egypt rebels against God and His prophet Joseph. Exodus 1
Egypt refuses to let Israel go to worship God. They rebel against the plagues and are destroyed in the Red Sea. Exodus 5-15; Hebrews 11:29
Israel breaks the covenant with God with the golden calf. Exodus 32
Israel refuses to go into Canaan through rebellion and unbelief; they try to conquer Canaan by works and are defeated; they must die in the wilderness. Numbers 13-14
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and the 250 princes rebel against Moses, Aaron, and God. Numbers 16
Israel rebels against God in joining in worship services with the Midianites at Baalpeor. Numbers 25
Listing of sins which the nations of Canaan were to be dispossessed for: includes incest, burning children in the fire, homosexuality, and bestiality. Leviticus 18
List of rebellions of Israel against the Lord after they were let into Canaan: following the gods of the land, serving Baal and Ashtoreth, not listening to the judges that God sent, and transgressing the covenant of God. Judges 2
Eli’s sons Hophni and Phineas rebel against God; Eli refuses to restrain them, and they lead Israel to rebel against God. I Samuel 2&4
Israel wants a king like the other nations and reject Jesus as their king. I Samuel 8&12
King Sauls rebellion against Jesus includes lieing, disobedience, rebellion, witchcraft, stubbornness, iniquity, idolatry, and the rejection of God’s Word. I Samuel 15
David’s adultery, murder, and lies require a special work from God. II Samuel 11&12
Solomon violates the covenant instructions in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. He gathers gold, wives, and horses and his heart is turned from God. I Kings 10:26-11:13; II Chronicles 9:13
Israel and Judah repeat a list of sins – burning incense in the high places, Sodomites, false worship, follow the gods of other nations, refuse to listen to God or His prophets.
Jereboam the son of Nebat. I Kings 14:7-10; 12:25-33
Rehoboam. I Kings 14:21-31
Ahab and Jezebel. I Kings 21:1-26
Manasseh. II Kings 21:1-16; II Chronicles 33:1-10
Ahaz. II Chronicles 28:1-5
Israel and Judah. II Chronicles 36:11-17
Judah sent to Babylon for their sins against God and His Sabbath and His Law. Jeremiah 17:19-27; 44; 22:13-17; Ezekiel 8;22;Isaiah 59:1-15
When Israel returns from Babylon they repeat the same sins. Ezra 9&10; Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1:6-8,12-14; 2:17; 3:5
God gives Israel 490 years to reform and surrender to Jesus before He cuts them off as a nation dedicated to Him. Daniel 8:9-14; 9:24-27
Israel rejects Jesus as king, kill him, and they are rejected as a nation. Matthew 23; John 18:39-19:15; Matthew 21:33-45; Acts 7
Paul warns that out of the church will come men who will lead people into error. Acts 20:28-30
Gentile’s works and sins. Romans 1:21-32
List of the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21
Evil works of the church. II Timothy 3:1-5; II Thessalonians 2:1-12; Romans 3:9-19; I Timothy 4:1-3; Revelation 21:8,27; 22:15
Wicked are judged according to their works. Revelation 20:12
Wicked are punished according to their knowledge of God’s will. Luke 12:41-48
World - things in - "...For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." I John 2:15-16
Worldly influences - "Worldly influences, like the waves of the sea, beat against the followers of Christ to sweep them away from the true principles of His meekness and grace; but we are to stand as firm as a rock to principle." 6 T 146