Philippians 2:12-18
Scripture: Philippians
2:12-18
12 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, 13 for it is God who
works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do
all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 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, 16 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 labor in vain. 17 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. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice
with me. [1]
Devotion
Here Paul begins by calling the Philippians
“beloved”. A term of endearment for a church he dearly loved. Why were they beloved?
Because they always obeyed the Lord. Paul then lays upon them that they are to “work
out their own salvation.” What this does not mean is that they are to work to obtain
their salvation, but rather they are to work because of their salvation. They
are to work out what it means to be saved by doing the good works which God
prepared for them to do. And they are to work it out with “fear and trembling.”
In other words, they are to be most serious and dedicated to working out their
salvation because they are to be the hands and feet and voice of God to their
community. How much more then should we be God’s hands and feet in our own
world. Working out our salvation for God’s pleasure.
Next Paul tells the Philippians that
they must not be grumblers or malcontents. God’s purposes will not be fulfilled
in them or in us if we complain about how hard things are. The Philippians are
to be “blameless and innocent” because they have not been whiners, but they
could be called children of God. They were to be a contrast to the darkness of the
world. Paul calls his world twisted and crooked how much more today is the
world in league with the devil. Christians should shine like stars against a
very black sky.
Then Paul adds a personal plea. He
wants to see the church holding fast to God’s word so that he like a proud
father can rejoice over them on the judgement day. He wants them to hold on to
the gospel with all their might. That they may be found blameless on the last
day. So, Paul would be delighted if we also would be found clinging to God’s
word on the final day when all humanity is judged.
Paul then goes on to indicate that
he believed that he would soon die for his faith in Christ Jesus. “Facing possible death while in prison, he viewed
it simply as an act of worship, a sacrifice, a drink offering to God. Such a
liquid offering would be poured over the main sacrifice on the altar. Paul did
not describe his work and suffering as that main sacrifice. Rather, the
ministry of the Philippian church constituted that sacrifice.” [2] Even though he was about to
be sacrificed in this way he was joyful and wanted the church then and now to
be glad and rejoice with him as the day of his sacrifice came.
Even today can we be
like the Philippians? We should strive to be like that ancient church whom Paul
and Jesus loved so much. Working out our salvation and joyfully serving our
Lord Jesus Christ.
[2] Max
Anders, Galatians-Colossians,
vol. 8, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman
Publishers, 1999), 228.
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