Vocational Disciplines (1)

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now 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 do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2.12, 13

Work out your salvation
I get the feeling that some Christians are of the opinion that coming to salvation by grace through faith is the end of Christian life, rather than the beginning.

All I have to do is mention the Law of God or the importance of maintaining a disciplined life and, sooner or later, someone’s going to object that we’re not saved by works, but by grace. All this talk about works is tedious, Pharisaical, judgmental, unloving, and worse. We don’t work for our salvation, I’m reminded.

No, we don’t work for our salvation. But we are commanded to work out our salvation, and it is within this context that every believer is responsible to discern and pursue his or her unique calling from the Lord.

We have been redeemed, saved, and recreated in Christ Jesus unto good works, Paul insisted (Eph. 2.8-10). We are called to be a people zealous for good works, ready for every good work, and careful to maintain good works (Titus 2.14; 3.1, 8). We need to understand what those good works are, with particular reference to our daily lives and what we need to do in order to make sure those works are as good as they can be before the Lord and men.

The work we’ve been given to do
What we’re talking about here is vocation. Normally when that word is in view we’re thinking about the work we do to earn a living and provide for those we love. But in the Kingdom of God the work we’ve been given to do is greater than the job at which we work. We have been called by God to His Kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2.12), and within that rather large framework, a wide range of good works is required of all who follow Jesus Christ. Let me mention three.

First, we’re called to work at being saints of the Lord (1 Cor. 1.2, 9). This “fellowship with Christ” requires that we apply ourselves to spiritual disciplines in order to shape our souls for loving God and our neighbors. We’re called to be holy, as our Father in heaven is holy; and becoming holy in all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities requires that we work out the salvation given to us, seeking to bring holiness to completion in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7.1).

Second, as followers of Christ we are members of His Body, the church. Each of us has been given gifts and opportunities to do works of service that contribute to building-up our local church in unity and maturity in the Lord (1 Cor. 12.7-11; Eph. 4.11-16). We need to discover and improve those gifts and make the most of the opportunities for service so that our labors in the local church can bear much fruit (Jn. 15.8, 16).

Finally, each of us is called to a particular condition or calling, a station of service in the larger world by which the Lord provides our daily bread (1 Cor. 7.17-24). The Apostle Paul says that each believer must take up his or her daily calling in such a way as to make the most of every opportunity for glorifying God (Eph. 5.15-17; 1 Cor. 10.31). So it doesn’t matter whether you’re a butcher or baker or candlestick maker, homemaker, shop keeper, welder, farmer, or any other legitimate occupation, this work is part of your calling from the Lord.

Part, but not all. We must always remember: The work we’ve been given to do in working out our salvation and fulfilling our calling to God’s Kingdom and glory is greater than the job at which we work.

The voice in the confluence
This has the potential to be confusing, you’ll agree. Get a job, find a niche in the church, grow in Christ and His salvation – and all things for the Kingdom and glory of God? How can we identify our calling so as to realize our fullest potential for contributing to the progress of the divine economy?

Like Moses, Samuel, David, Daniel, Esther, Isaiah, and all the great saints of Scripture – as well as those down through the ages who have successfully discerned and pursued the Lord’s leading – you will discover that your calling from the Lord comes from the confluence of four areas or aspects of your life.

First, what are your burdens? What weighs heavily on you, gets you excited, makes you want to weep or leap with joy? Then, second, what does your past experience suggest about where and how you ought to seek the Kingdom and glory of God? Third, what skills and abilities do you possess to bring to whatever calling you may pursue? Finally, what opportunities or needs are immediately before you, crying out to be met?

The Lord will speak to you in the confluence of these four areas of your life. If you will seek Him there in prayer, waiting on Him, getting wise counsel, searching His Word, and considering all the opportunities and needs before you, you will be able to discern the Lord’s vocation for your life.

And what do you do then?

Next steps: How would you describe your vocation from the Lord at this time? Is your vocation as broad and clear as outlined in this article? To whom might you turn to get some help in thinking more clearly about what God is calling you to do?

T. M. Moore

This week’s study, Vocational Disciplines, is part 5 of a 7-part series on The Disciplined Life, and is available as a free download by clicking here. We have prepared a special worksheet to help you begin getting your disciplines in proper shape for seeking the Kingdom. Write to T. M. at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for your free PDF of the “Disciplined Life Worksheet.”

A rightly-disciplined life requires a Kingdom vision, and that vision is centered on Jesus Christ exalted. T. M. has prepared a series of meditations on the glorious vision of Christ, based on Scripture and insights from the Celtic Christian tradition. Order your copy of Be Thou My Vision by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.