Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

It is strange to me that certain words have become 'dirty' in this day and age - obedience and discipline being two of them. Here Paul admonishes the people of Philippi (and us) to show obedience and to remember God's nature. God cannot accept sin. It is good that he doesn't accept sin. Things are only made 'right' for us through what Jesus did for us. Still, we must tread with caution and walk in God's ways once we receive the gift of salvation. How do we know what God's ways are? God works in us through the Holy Spirit, compelling us to do certain things and convicting us of other things ... our obedience to this heartfelt and intimate conversation with God is how we follow His purpose and work out our salvation.

Remember that because of Jesus, God is now with us (Emmanuel) and because of this He doesn't need to thunder down at us from Heaven or from a cloud-enveloped mountain. All He needs to do is whisper to us - I for one know that I need to tune my ears better to hear this whisper and to stop expecting the thunder.