Philippians 2:12-16 (NLT): “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s  return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.” 

Work Hard to Show the Results of Your Salvation, Obeying God With Deep Reverence and Fear.

Work Hard —> which is the exact opposite of our current culture in America. Restaurants have closed sections, or close early, and some closed permanently. It seems like everybody is trying to do less and get more — This is Generation L = Lazy. Proverbs 14:23 (NIV): “All hard work brings a profit,but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV): “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheri-tance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” 

Do Everything Without Complaining and Arguing, So That No One Can Criticize You. Complaining comes from a critical spirit ——-> Nothing gets better by complaining. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV): “Do not 

let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” James 1:26 (NIV): “Those who consider 

themselves  religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religions is worthless.” Colossians 4:6 (NKJV): “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” 

Live Clean, Innocent Lives As Children of God, Shining Like Bright Lights In A World Full of Crooked and Perverse People. Holiness isn’t something to ponder, it’s something we should profess. 

1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV): “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 

In Closing, Proverbs 4:18 (AMP): “But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.”

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