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:
I love the letter Paul wrote to the church in Philippi. It’s not only power-packed but the content is life-changing. That particular church seemed to have a special spot in Paul’s heart. They were kindhearted and generous or so it appears by some of the things that were said in chapter 4. Here in chapter 2 however it looks like Paul is giving them some encouragement to grow. Talking about their willingness to obey while he was in their presence, and requesting the same kind of obedience in his absence. Paul calls them to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. As we know and have been taught by many different pastors and teachers. Salvation is a free gift. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is LORD and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead you will have salvation… or to put it another way, you are saved from the wrath of GOD. But why does Paul call the church in Philippi to continue to WORK out their salvation with fear and trembling? I believe the keyword is LORD. I have defined with word many times before and believe it’s important to know what it means. In the days that Paul was writing a LORD was a shot caller. What they said goes. We see this in many different places in the bible. GOD showed HIMSELF to be LORD in so many places that it’s hard to just pick one for an illustration. However, the one that comes to mind is Daniel and the lion’s den. The king said not to pray and Daniel did what GOD said and was saved from the mouth of the lion. A question that Jesus HIMSELF asked is, ” Why do you call me LORD, LORD, but you don’t do what I say. Paul’s instructions for the church to work out their salvation are simply saying, Remember that Jesus Christ is LORD and do what HE teaches. When the Holy Spirit points out something in your life that is not right… change it. I love the way verse 13 puts it, ” For it is GOD who works in you to will and to do for HIS good pleasure. What is being said is GOD is doing something in you…. so don’t complain about it. HE has you right where HE wants you. I wrapped verse 14 in that position as well because it’s kind of the driving factor. As GOD brought the Israelites out of slavery and bondage, they complained about what HE was doing but how HE was doing it. It seemed that getting them out of Egypt was the easy part… getting Egypt out of them proved to be a little more difficult. Paul continues to pour into the church by reminding them that they are a light in the community. Allowing that light to shine… did not include complaining about what GOD was working out of them. Obedience to HIS word in the midst of people who were not willing to obey anything but their flesh will have its rewards. Thinking about life after this one is what Paul wanted the church to focus on, and honestly, it makes perfect sense. Paul was looking at the end of his life. I picture him in a prison cell with his head shaved so the executioner could have a good line of sight to his neck as he wrote this letter. Paul’s life and ministry were coming to an end. He wanted that life to have an impact. To produce some kind of fruit, the things he had done said, and taught would affect lives for years to come. He desired that his death would not be in vain. That the race he had run in spreading the gospel would continue even though his life here on earth would not. His physical race may have reached its end, but the words he wrote still fight a spiritual battle every day.
Application:
Have you ever thought that you could do it better than GOD? Ok, let me put it another way. Have you ever complained about where GOD had you in life? Why don’t I have this, or why can’t I do that, or man a stake sure would be better than this peanut butter and cheese sandwich. I’m only asking because I have been that guy. You know the ones. The guy who wants more, as if what GOD has already done is not enough. It’s not always easy to remember that it’s about GOD’S timing not ours. We can complain if we want to but what good is that going to do? When I think about it. What comes to mind is the Israelites being brought out of being whipped and beaten by the task masters in Egypt, but on the other side of the Red Sea wanting to go back to that kind of captivity so they could have a piece of meat. As if what GOD had done was not good enough. The freedom from bondage was outside of their understanding. So they complained about the freedom. As we continue to read the letter to the Philippines what we see in chapter 4 is Paul teaching the church how to be content in everything. To be alright with where GOD had them. I know my life is not where I wanted it to be… but you don’t know how grateful I am that it’s not where it used to be. The captivity and bondage are over for me. I may not have all the stuff I want and I may not be able to go wherever I want but I am no longer a slave to sin. I am right where GOD wants me. Whether I feel like I am or not. I have learned that the secret to life is to be content in all my circumstances. Because I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. GOD shapes us through our life situations. When we are fully surrendered to HIM it won’t matter where we are or what we can or can’t do. Because we will be good just being good. My question for you this morning is this Are you good with where GOD has you? If not then HE is trying to teach you something. Maybe it’s to be content… and as soon as you learn that HE will move you forward. One thing we all need to know is that GOD has us where we need to be. Because HE is working in us to will and to do for HIS good pleasure.
Prayer:
Father, the way you do things is not the same way we think you should. Your ways are not our ways. You see things in us that we don’t see in ourselves. Help us to be ok with being ok. You will always meet our needs. We may not always have everything we want. But our needs will be taken care of. We want to be wholeheartedly surrendered to you knowing that you are working in us. You are teaching us. All we can ask is that we learn whatever you are teaching as painlessly as possible. We love you and want to be used by you. Let the light that you have placed in us shine so that others can see it and praise your holy name. Its in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.