Never Apart

I once heard a definition of the difference between obedience and submission.  A child is obedient if he/she obeys you when in your presence. A child is submitted if he/she obeys you when you are absent. Which describes you?

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Paul is encouraging the believers in Philippi to continue on in the faith. He knows that His presence brings obedience and is encouraging them to obey regardless of his presence.

Are you the same person in all your social circles? I remember how hard is was to uncompartmentalize my life as a fledgling Christian. I can remember the shocked response from some, when I would do a religious thing, like pray. If most of your social circles connect you to your church, you might not struggle with this as much. But, most of us have many circles outside our church family. We have relationships with others in children’s friends parents, civic clubs, hobbies and work to name a few. It can be hard to be consistent. It requires singleness of mind and a heart that seeks to please God. It requires wisdom.

But, shouldn’t we obey in God’s presence? Aren’t we always in God’s presence? It is funny how we think we can hide from God. It is really a psychological mind game we play. “If I don’t acknowledge Him, then he can’t see what I am doing or know what I am thinking. I will just pretend for now that He is not all knowing or everywhere.” We should challenge ourselves to pursue the kind of maturity that flows over into a life of consistency. Let our salvation work its way out into the way we behave, whether with believers or not, in God’s constant presence.