God at Work

¹² Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more while I am away, carry out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes. ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling and arguing ¹⁵ so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world ¹⁶ because you hold on to the word of life. This will allow me to say on the day of Christ that I haven’t run for nothing or worked for nothing. ¹⁷ But even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon the altar of service for your faith, I am glad. I’m glad with all of you. ¹⁸ You should be glad about this in the same way. Be glad with me!