Scripture:
Philippians 2:12-18 NKJV
[12] 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; [13] for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. [14] Do all things without complaining and disputing, [15] that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, [16] holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. [17] Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. [18] For the same reason, you also be glad and rejoice with me.
Observation:
The letter to the Philistines is very short. You can honestly read through the whole thing in about 20 minutes. However, that does not mean that it is lacking in powerful content that will guide the steps of your life, if you should choose to follow the instructions given, and Paul has a wonderful way of giving them. One of the first things I want to bring to our attention is at the end of these few verses. The way Paul writes, you would never think that he is in a prison cell, nonetheless awaiting his execution, well, of course, that is, until he makes that indication by saying he is being poured out like a drink offering. By this point, he had been through a lot and all for the gospel. Walking thousands of miles. Facing all kinds of tribulations, being shipwrecked, stoned, and left for dead, and again, not to mention being thrown into prison. If anyone knew what it took, it was Paul. That day on the road to Damascus was an encounter that changed his life entirely. His resolve to stay true to the gospel more than like came from watching Stephen when he was being stoned to death as he held the coats of the men who were doing it. Hearing the words, Stephen spoke as his life slipped away properly, still ringing in his ears as he sat there writing this letter, looking at the end of his life here on earth with joy, knowing that his salvation was secure. That Jesus Christ was the LORD of his life. He had gone from a mad man who wanted to kill everyone who even spoke the name of Jesus to knowing nothing but Christ and HIM crucified. All the laws and rules of the Pharisees made sense to him now. It was all a picture of Jesus Christ. It was all a model of life-changing grace. His life was a small price to pay for the lives that would be changed by the salvation that was poured out on the cross. Paul knew what it took because he was sitting there looking at the end of his race, saying Press on…. The prize is on the other side. The stopping point is eternity. His plea for integrity at the beginning of the scripture this morning is one of the things that caught my eye as I was reading… some of the other words were blameless, harmless, children of GOD without fault, and I wonder how he got to that point, but then I look back to the verse just before it and read… it is GOD who works in you to will and to do for HIS good pleasure… which brings me to the churchey word sanctification. Paul knew how important it was that our lives be made different. The word sanctification means to be set apart and made different, so when Paul says, continue to work out your salvation through fear and trembling. What he is saying is let the word of GOD change your life. That day on the Damascus road was a turning point for Paul. He never wanted to be that guy again to the point that he was willing to pour out his life not to return to it and do so without complaining, but instead rejoicing. He had held fast to allowing Jesus to redefine what he thought he knew into the true gospel. Which is that grace was poured out on the cross so that you would not have to live trapped inside your sin. You CAN lay it down.
Application:
This life is a process. It would be nice if we could change overnight, and honestly, I have seen some that have. The beginning of my salvation was a massive change that happened overnight. But as time went on and things got polluted by the world, I started to slip back into things that are not suitable for those who are called by HIS name. In a sense, doing damage to the kingdom, or at least that’s how I saw it once my eyes were truly opened. I had a belief that grace was so I could live how I wanted, and still reap all the benefits. That I would not have to pay for my sins because Jesus Christ did that on the cross… I’m not sitting here trying to redefine the bible… please, please, please don’t get me wrong. The Bible says that for all who call on the name of the LORD WILL be saved. So if you have done that, you will experience salvation. I’m not trying to say that’s not what will happen… but what I am saying is… I don’t know about you, but I want it all. I have always been that way. I don’t want halfway. All the blessings, all the crowns. There are 5 of them listed as rewards. In First Corinthians chapter 9, Paul talks about running the race to win and competing by the rules. The sanctification process starts the day we accept Jesus as our LORD and SAVIOR. The Holy Spirit comes to take up residence in us. To counsel us and bring to our memories all that Christ spoke when HE was here. How will we listen to HIM, is us, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We were made different the day we accepted Christ. How much different we truly become is up to us. GOD wants us to participate in walking out our salvation. HE has made us for good works. HE has made us to shine in a dark world and be free of sin. It’s time to lay aside the sin that so easily besets you. Little by little, being conformed to the very image of Jesus Christ. GOD’S grace is given to sanctify you to change you from who you were to who HE made you to be. So continue to work out YOUR salvation. Continue to press on being better today than you were yesterday, and again tomorrow if we are given tomorrow that is.
Prayer:
Father, we come to you this morning knowing that you see all things and are in all things. You are able to lead us in a way that we never thought possible. The way you have set this up is absolutely amazing. The gift is ours to receive, and we just have to confess Jesus as our LORD and SAVIOR, and salvation is ours. But you knew that we would want to be a part of this, so you gave us your Holy Spirit to change us little by little to be more like your Son. Help us to embrace this process. Help us to work out what you have already done. We want the light you have placed in us to shine so that all can see and give you glory for what you have done. The changes you have made are evident in our lives, let us continue us change. Pressing on to win the crown that you have promised as we over come the world. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.