Crossing the Border

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, NKJV)

A short time back, my family and I drove the AlCan Highway from Seattle to Alaska (via the Cassiar Highway).

After crossing the U.S./Canada border, we still saw U.S. influence even though we were in Canada. 

However, the further we drove away from the border and the deeper we drove into Canada, we saw less and less of the things we were familiar with. Brand names, chain stores, animal crossing signs, wildlife, and landscape, were all different...the deeper we drove into Canada. 

Do you see the bear?

Once we cross any “border", we can identify "influence" directly across the line from where we were. But the deeper we get into where we are going, the prior influence decreases while our new influences increase.

When we are first born again (John 3:3, Romans 10:9, John 3:16), we cross over a “border". (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Please be encouraged, don’t get frustrated at things that haven't changed yet (the areas of your life where you are currently struggling). You have "crossed the border” but may still be dealing with “influence” from where you’ve been. (Matthew 6:33, Hebrews 12:1-2)

Renew your mind daily. (Romans 12:2)

Sometimes daily means hourly.

Sometimes daily means moment by moment. 

Also, please don't get frustrated at others when you see them operating in ways that aren’t agreeable with you. Stay fixed on Him (not them), pray for them, and lovingly correct with proper motivation when an opportunity arises. (Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 John 4:7, Proverbs 10:12, Mark 12:31, James 5:16) 

All this is not at all to use as a excuse to refuse to humbly accept or lovingly administer correction. (Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 19:20) 

Always keep in mind, we are all walking out our own salvation…we are not walking out someone else’s salvation. (Philippians 2:12-13)

Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, [a]with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). Philippians 2:12, AMP)