MONDAY July 8th
Philippians 2:12-18
‘Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labour in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.’
After I had finished preparing the devotions from the verses that we have just covered from Philippians 1, I turned to look at chapter two and particularly the verses we have just read. The preceding verses are all about the exalted Christ and we can rejoice today in knowing that our confidence is not in those who reign or rule on earth but in the One who reigns forever as the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and we willingly declare that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Now, in our verses, Paul is calling the believers to obedience and to use his words to ‘work out your own salvation with fear and trembling’, but he also reminds them and of course us as well, that ‘it is God who works in you. . .’, (the remainder of the verse we will consider again).
Back in chapter 1:6, Paul had said that ‘I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ’, yet here he is telling us to work out. . .’ Well, just as Paul had talked about his partnership with them as believers, I am suggesting here that we are in partnership with God himself, he is working in us, but we need also to be busy working as well, he has given us salvation, we don’t work to earn it or receive it, but we need to play our part in allowing this salvation to be worked out in us and as we do, God will bring it all to completion.
What am I suggesting? Well, I am suggesting that we must never conclude that once we have come to Christ for salvation that that is it. We are saved and we are going to heaven full stop, no it is much more than this, as God works in us, we play our part in doing that which he wants us to do, we have our part to play in seeking for and allowing his will to be worked out in our lives which in turn gives God good pleasure.
Partnership is important and making right partnerships as Christians in every area of life is even more important, and there is no better partnership than that which we have with God as our heavenly Father, as we seek out and do that which is according to his will and purpose for us.