God's Good Thoughts (Philippians 2:12-13)

SAME OLD, SAME OLD

Sometimes we have read a portion of scripture so much; or heard it preached; or commented on; to the extent that we have formed an opinion as to the meaning, but the opinion may simply be a result of misinformation; distorted information; or incomplete information. Even in studying and reading different commentaries, there is often an echo from one commentator to another, simply retelling the same presupposition, which could be totally false, based more on traditional rhetoric rather than Bible fact. This can be especially true of some Bible commentators in the 1900's, when information began to flow much more freely, which was a good thing. However, it is only a good thing if what is being disseminated is actually the truth, and not just a retelling of the "same old, same old".

SPARKLING REVELATION

If anyone takes the challenge of reading Greek and Hebrew commentators from the 1800's, and prior, often there is a more concentrated effort to declare with certainty, that the Greek or Hebrew text is being accurately translated or interpreted, and not just regurgitated, from someone else's supposed research, since you could not simply plagiarize, to keep in conformity with the accepted standard, you had to dig for yourself, and as a result, often times you will find variable colorings and tasty flavors of analysis and interpretation, that brings sparkling revelation and insight to familiar texts.

FRESH LOOK

Everyone who has been "schooled" in Christianity, in any denomination, for any length of time, invariably comes to the scriptures with their own preconceived ideologies and it is a challenge to break through all the "noise", and voices of religion, to present a new idea, which may be, a fresh look, with fresh eyes, at a familiar text. It is the hope, that all of the Bible Word Studies Based on the Greek and Hebrew Text, bring inspiration; revelation; accuracy, and a new look, at an old truth.

PHILIPPIANS 2:13 says, "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to do of (His) good pleasure"

WORK OUT

The end of Philippians 2:12 says, to "work out" (katergalesthe), 2716, [Strong's], your own salvation, or to bring your salvation, to it's ultimate conclusion and purpose. In other words, like one would "work out" a problem, or would bring to resolution the reasoning and meaning for something, so we too are to fulfill, or accomplish, the reason for our "being saved", and still inhabiting this spinning ball.

CONSTANTLY & CONTINUOUSLY

The reason, is that God is "constantly and continuously working" (energon), 1754, "habitually", in us, by His Spirit, to get us to will (thelein), 2309, or to "want to; to desire; and to act on that desire", to the point, that we "do" (energon), 1754, "constantly; continuously; habitually; and effectively", His (eudokia), 2107.

(Eudokia) is translated "good pleasure", but actually, in the Greek, it is a compound word, from (eu), 2095, "good", or "well", and (dokeo), 1380, "to think", or "thoughts".

THINKING GOOD

This is a beautiful verse, that speaks of the heart of our Father God. He is constantly "thinking good thoughts", about His creation, and ways and means to bring those who have not yet entered into covenant with Him, through accepting the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. But the only voice He has to speak; the only hands He has to reach; the only "go" He has, is our feet. He is limited by His body, the church, so in a desperate attempt of love, He wants to bring things full circle, so that we will come to the conclusion, "work out" part of the reason for our salvation, that it is our Father, constantly; continuously; habitually, working on the inside of us, to move us, with strong desire, to step into action, and that we will be energized, to constantly; continuously; habitually; and effectively carry out, or "do", and perform, all the good ideas and thoughts that He is thinking about people, to reach them with the good news.

GOOD THOUGHTS

The next time you have a "good thought", to help someone; to give someone some money; to visit that sick person; or that elderly shut-in; cook that meal; or buy groceries for someone who can't afford food on the table this month; babysit someone's children, for free; to just be like Jesus, and go about "doing good" (Acts 10:38); that's a "good thought" that your Father is thinking, but He needs you to "want to", and carry out His good idea, to put all the "good He's thinking", into action, and produce change in someone's life.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours