I Love the "But"s of God!

Just chewing on this verse.  Again.  Still.

It is one that I have often pondered over - but now, with memorizing Philippians, it has been SO prominent in my thoughts for a couple of months...

“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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13 ESV

The "Therefore" is there for us to understand the obedience that is expected of us to that which Jesus demonstrated in the verses above:

“...Christ Jesus, who...emptied himself...And...being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:5,7,8 ESV

BUT...I cannot do this on our own.

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate...For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out...Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.” Romans 7:15, 18, 24-25 ESV

BUT...it is God who "works in me"...the Holy Spirit sanctifying me - completing that good work that He began - fulfilling the promise (for He IS the Promise Maker AND the Promise Keeper) -

BUT...

"Those that take God’s sovereignty and working and use them as an excuse for inaction and lethargy are like the wicked and lazy servant of Matthew 25:24-30...The idea is that since God has done and is doing a work in the Christian, the Christian therefore has a greater responsibility to work diligently with fear and trembling regarding his own salvation and walk with the Lord. God’s work in us increases our responsibility; it doesn’t lessen it in any way...Those that are really God’s servants use their understanding of His sovereignty and omnipotence as a motivation for greater, more dedicated service to Him." - David Guzik (Enduring Word)

BUT...God...again!!!

“Grace all-sufficient dwells in you, believer. There is a living well within you springing up; use the bucket, then; keep on drawing; you will never exhaust it; there is a living source within.” (Spurgeon)

GLORY!!!!!  There is HOPE for me yet!!!