Lesson 22: Practical by New Life God Works In Us
"For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).
 
This statement occurs between two commands. The first has reference to personal salvation, and the second declares the duty of man in relation to the world. The first reads, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"; and the second, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." The declaration referred to brings both the positive and relative statements within the realm of practical possibility, "For it is God who works in you." This Godly inworking makes the human outworking easy, and simple, and delightful. For every demand made on us as Christian men and women there is sufficient, overwhelming supply in the communication of His energy.
 
"God works in you." This implies the actual presence of God at the center of our being. The very simplicity of these words can make them difficult to understand, for no one understands the complex and marvelous mechanism of his own personality. God works in you—not outside, but in—in the place where thought is born, and the throne of the will is set up, and the affections have their seat; in the inward shrine of the being, God works.
 
Put emphasis now on another word. "God works in you." He is there, not merely holding possession while we work, but also to “Direct, control, suggest each day, All we design, or do, or say; That all our powers, with all their might, In His sole glory may unite."
 

"God works in you." The value of this statement may be learned by inserting another word in place of " in." "For it is God who works for you." By this alteration the message is robbed of its power in a moment. To work for us may be to work apart from us without consultation with us. This is suggestive of duality which is not always necessarily a harmony.
 
Try another preposition. "It is God who works with you." That would indicate someone by the side of us, willing, when the burden becomes too heavy, to help to bear it; willing when the pathway becomes difficult, to come to help. This also is suggestive of dual personality, and possible conflict.
 
"God which works in you" implies perfect union. God in you, creating desire, energizing the Will, so that the Will becomes, not merely as a poetical sentiment, but as a glorious fact, the Will of God. That is, indeed, the supreme glory of the Christian position — "it is God who works," not "for" merely; not "with" only; but "it is God who works in you."
 
"It is God who works in you both to Will and to do." Two facts are stated here which are one, for willing and doing are always united. "To Will" – that touches the inner life, the springs of action; "to do" — that touches the outer life, the streams of action.

 Let’s pray: Lord, we would ask that You would work in us so we can do Your Will and work for Your good pleasure. Thank you. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Let's reflect on, even memorize: "For it is God who works in you both to Will and to work for His good pleasure" ‒ Philippians 2:13.