Philippians 2:12, 13 says...
Today's verses are Philippians 2:12, 13, which read,
So then, my beloved, just as you have already obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Paul gives this little paragraph, one sentence, filled with much to talk about this morning. He starts by calling the Christians in Philippi with the address of "beloved." He has an affection for them as his brothers and sisters in Christ and Paul uses this word often but I feel it is not used flippantly or as a means of flattery. He expresses to them the bond that has been created between them because of the grace of God through the cross of Christ.
He next speaks of their obedience that is not just when he is in their presence but even the more when he is not. They are truly converted. There is visible fruit of this conversion that is not dependent on external pressures. Salvation was given to them by the Lord but they also own their salvation in their actions of obedience. It reminds me of the old question, "Who are you when no one else is looking?" For many this question is answered when they go off to college which might be the first time they are out of the sight of anyone they know.
Paul tells them to work out the salvation that has already been given to them as a gift from God. He is not telling them to do works to gain salvation but to take the salvation that they have and flesh it out in their every day living. The theological term for this working out of your salvation is called sanctification.
The attitude that we are to have while working out the salvation given to us as a gift is of fear and trembling. We have a fear or respect of the Giver of the gift and a reverent awe of Him. We do not work out the salvation given to us with a prideful heart or a sense of superiority over others. Our sanctification is to be seen from the outside as a humble action on our part to be ever aware of where our salvation has come from.
As we work out the salvation that has been given to us by God, He also is at work in us to provide the situations to work out that salvation. He is not absent from the process. He doesn't just give us the gift of salvation and then walk away. He gives us the desire and the actions to live godly lives. His hand is upon us as we grow in our relationship with Him.
The result of all of this is to give God glory. Our sanctified lives are to bring pleasure unto God, the Giver of the gift of salvation and the Supplier of the will and actions to live it out. This happens as we obey Him no matter who is looking. Let's pray.
"Lord, may I realize today that You are the One who has not only supplied the salvation I have received but You are also the One who is supplying the drive within me and the actions to live out that salvation to Your glory. You gave me the gift of salvation to be justified in Your sight and You are continuing to give to me a working of that salvation to be further sanctified in Your likeness to be one day face to face with You in heaven, glorified. May I walk in obedience to what You have provided and are providing. Amen."
Pastor Adam
So then, my beloved, just as you have already obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Paul gives this little paragraph, one sentence, filled with much to talk about this morning. He starts by calling the Christians in Philippi with the address of "beloved." He has an affection for them as his brothers and sisters in Christ and Paul uses this word often but I feel it is not used flippantly or as a means of flattery. He expresses to them the bond that has been created between them because of the grace of God through the cross of Christ.
He next speaks of their obedience that is not just when he is in their presence but even the more when he is not. They are truly converted. There is visible fruit of this conversion that is not dependent on external pressures. Salvation was given to them by the Lord but they also own their salvation in their actions of obedience. It reminds me of the old question, "Who are you when no one else is looking?" For many this question is answered when they go off to college which might be the first time they are out of the sight of anyone they know.
Paul tells them to work out the salvation that has already been given to them as a gift from God. He is not telling them to do works to gain salvation but to take the salvation that they have and flesh it out in their every day living. The theological term for this working out of your salvation is called sanctification.
The attitude that we are to have while working out the salvation given to us as a gift is of fear and trembling. We have a fear or respect of the Giver of the gift and a reverent awe of Him. We do not work out the salvation given to us with a prideful heart or a sense of superiority over others. Our sanctification is to be seen from the outside as a humble action on our part to be ever aware of where our salvation has come from.
As we work out the salvation that has been given to us by God, He also is at work in us to provide the situations to work out that salvation. He is not absent from the process. He doesn't just give us the gift of salvation and then walk away. He gives us the desire and the actions to live godly lives. His hand is upon us as we grow in our relationship with Him.
The result of all of this is to give God glory. Our sanctified lives are to bring pleasure unto God, the Giver of the gift of salvation and the Supplier of the will and actions to live it out. This happens as we obey Him no matter who is looking. Let's pray.
"Lord, may I realize today that You are the One who has not only supplied the salvation I have received but You are also the One who is supplying the drive within me and the actions to live out that salvation to Your glory. You gave me the gift of salvation to be justified in Your sight and You are continuing to give to me a working of that salvation to be further sanctified in Your likeness to be one day face to face with You in heaven, glorified. May I walk in obedience to what You have provided and are providing. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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