Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13, NASB 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Observation: -Paul encourages the Philippian believers to continue to obey God, whether or not he is with them. In fact it is even more important to do so in his absence. -"work out your salvation with fear and trembling"- I have never been sure just what this means. -salvation is a result of God being at work in me- and it is a work that is for "His good pleasure." Application: How do we work out our salvation? We know that salvation is not based upon works; so just what is Paul saying here? One of the benefits of sitting down to study God's Word using the SOAP method is that it forces me to take a closer look at things, to try and understand that which I have previously not had any insight into. This is one of those times. Instead of just reading these words, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling," and then moving on; being somewhat content that I do not have a clue what that means; I am forced to stop and consider God's Word more carefully. On the surface these verses seem to be in opposition to each other; on the one hand we are told to work out our salvation, and on the other, that salvation is a result of God being at work in us. Can they both be true at the same time? Well, obviously the answer is yes because Paul is writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but my mind is struggling to wrap itself around this apparent paradox. Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; We do not work for our salvation, but we do need to “work out” our salvation. It is like I am seeing those two words “work out” for the first time. It suddenly brings to mind my efforts to get into shape. This aging body that has given birth to a couple of sons is not the body I had when I was a young bride. I am several pounds overweight and I know that I need to do something to change that. I have this body, that is my given. I have my goals: to lose weight and improve muscle tone. Now if I just continue to eat as usual and sit around the house my body will change, just not in the direction that I would like. I have to do something if I want to meet my goals-perhaps make changes to my diet, and add some exercise. I have to work out to see my muscle tone improve. I cannot be passive about it, I actually have to pick up those weights and make use of them. Now this is not a perfect analogy, because I do not have a promise from God of a fit and trim body, but if I did could He accomplish His will, “His good pleasure;” if I were not obedient in doing my part? Verse 12 gives us the impression that salvation is something we do. In my analogy, that would be diet and exercise. Verse 13 tells us, “Wait. Just in case you thought this was all about you…God is at work in you, He will give you the desire to do His will, to do His work.” Again, in my analogy, God would plant these desires within me…to be fit and lose weight, and has provided clear instructions for just how I can go about accomplishing that in my daily life. I must decide whether to follow His instructions or not What about in our text today? Do we have clear instructions for how to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling?” I believe we do. Verse 12 starts out, “So then.” That means that there is something in the preceding verses I need to take a closer look at. 5-Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6- who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. -Philippians 2:5-11, NASB, (emphasis mine) If I am to work out my salvation I have got to follow Christ’s example, and to do that I have got to know Jesus. Thankfully Paul has painted this wonderful picture of our Savior in verses 5-11 who was submissive (taking the form of a bond-servant), humble (did not regard equality with God the Father something to strive for, but took on the limitations of a human body willingly), and obedient (obediently He went to the cross for this was the Father’s plan.) Sounds like a good place to start. Paul is telling the Philippian believers that it is important for them to continue in obedience to what they know, whether he is with them or not. It is their job to work out their own salvation. He could not do it for them, and no one can do it for me. If I can go back to my analogy for just a minute; sending my friend to the gym to work out in my place will not do me any good. I have got to put in the time myself. Seems rather obvious, but I meet so many who want someone else to do the work for them when it comes to their own spiritual growth. They want someone else to read the Bible and tell them what it means. They want someone else to spend time in prayer for them. They want someone else to feed and clothe the poor. They want someone else to minister to the sick. They want someone else to share the Good News with their neighbor. (I am not saying here that intercessory prayer is bad, but if I seek the prayers of others and do not spend time in prayer myself for that need it speaks of a relationship with the Lord that is wanting. That being said, there are times when prayer does not come easily and the interceding of the saints on our behalf is definitely needed. I only speak here of those who do not have a prayer life of their own.) That is a very convicting list, but I think it is a step in the right direction towards “working out your salvation with fear and trembling.” I don’t do any of those things to gain salvation. That is wholly a work of God. I do those things, because I am a bond-servant of Jesus Christ and that is the life He has called me to. That is the life I accepted when I turned from my sin and acknowledged Him as my personal Lord and Savior. My part in all of this did not end on that day when I realized that I needed the power of the cross in my life. He knows I will fail at times. Paul knew the Philippian believers would fail at times. That is why these verses are so encouraging to me, “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” My failures are not the end- God is at work in me. So I begin each day anew, for as my favorite fellow red-head said, "Marilla, isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" "I'll warrant you'll make plenty in it," said Marilla. "I never saw your beat for making mistakes, Anne." "Yes, and well I know it," admitted Anne mournfully. "But have you ever noticed one encouraging thing about me, Marilla? I never make the same mistake twice." "I don't know as that's much benefit when you're always making new ones." "Oh, don't you see, Marilla? There must be a limit to the mistakes one person can make, and when I get to the end of them, then I'll be through with them. That's a very comforting thought." -LM Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, pp176-177 And always remember:
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23, NASB Grace and Peace, Deb
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Scripture: Philippians 2:8-11, NASB 8) Being found in appearance as a man, He (Christ) humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. Observation: -Jesus Christ, appeared on earth as a man. -In humility He became obedient, even giving up His life according to God's will. -Because of His willingness to die on the cross God has highly exalted Him. -God has given honor to Jesus name, there is no other equal to it, someday every knee will bow, whether in delight at meeting their risen Lord, or the confession of one condemned. -All of this brings glory to God the Father. Application: We just celebrated Easter. What a day to reflect upon. I have been a believer since I was a little girl. I have read or heard the story many times. We get used to the cross. It sparkles on beautiful necklaces, it adorns our homes, it hangs in many churches. In truth it was ugly and I honestly cannot imagine the kind of torture that death on a cross was. I remember watching the Mel Gibson film a few years ago and weeping as I watched our Lord's death so vividly portrayed. I try to imagine what it must have been like for Mary as she came to the tomb that morning. From despair to euphoria. Aside from Easter I don't know that we spend much time thinking about the cross anymore. It was mentioned quite a few times in the New Testament epistles, those letters written to the Church: 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Galatians 5:11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. Galatians 6:12 Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Galatians 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Ephesians 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, Colossians 2:14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 1 Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. And if we look up the word crucified we get a few more references to add: 1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 2 Corinthians 13:4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Galatians 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Revelation 11:8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. We don't spend much time talking about the cross in the Protestant church today, at least not in my experience. Very rarely do we share the Lord's Supper together. It seems to be relegated to a quarterly affair quite often. I think we have lost something. The cross is of supreme importance, without it we have no life, we have no hope, we have no reason to celebrate. It is the very basis of our faith. I am just wondering out loud here, I don't have an answer, but which do you think is more pleasing to God, more music (oh and how I love to sing!), longer sermons, children's sermons, inspirational video...insert whatever else we do on Sundays ot taking time to "break bread together." They did it often in the New Testament church, it was a part of their life when they came together as believers, even within their homes. Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. Perhaps it is not meant to be reserved for special observances, or to follow a calendar. Perhaps the cross is something we need to put back into our everyday lives. Luke 22:19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Grace and Peace, Deb |
AuthorI am a woman with a Mary heart and these are my musings as I read and study God's Word Join me on facebookArchives
October 2014
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