May 3, 2022
Work It Out!!!
Philippians 2
Marvin Walker
Central Truth
We are to develop what's been deposited in us. God will allow circumstances in our lives that will require us to work out our salvation.
Key Verse | Philippians 2:12-13
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.
Philippians 2
Christ's Example of Humility
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 1 2:5 Or which was also in Christ Jesus 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 2 2:6 Or a thing to be held on to for advantage 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, 3 2:7 Or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lights in the World
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.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's 4 2:22 Greek his proven worth, how as a son 5 2:22 Greek child with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.
25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died 6 2:30 Or he drew near to the point of death; compare verse 8 for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
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Listen NowDive Deeper | Philippians 2
The therefore at the beginning of verse 12 connects the preceding verses showing how Jesus obeyed faithfully to the point of death. The Apostle Paul is using this example to invite the church in Philippi to obey his words in the same way. Paul had been with them as an apostle and established their church back in Acts 16 before he was locked up in prison. So now that he's absent, he's reminding them not to stop working just because the principal left the classroom.
Now here's the special request: "work out your own salvation" (Philippians 2:12).
You know salvation comes by putting your faith in Jesus alone; now put that into practice in your daily life. The fear and trembling mentioned in Philippians 2:12 isn't telling Christians to "be careful or God will get ya'." Paul is simply saying to take the Lord seriously. There's a responsibility that comes with working out your salvation, and it's not a trial-and-error deal. God didn't allow His beloved Son to be butchered so that we could have a lackadaisical faith.
The Philippians would be able to work out their salvation because God had been working in them. Divine enablement and human duty are intertwined when God is at work in us, and that is what leads us to do what pleases Him.
As this chapter in Philippians calls us to be light-bearers, we could apply this call and work it out by asking for forgiveness from a friend, family member, co-worker, or maybe even a nonbeliever for a time when we did not reflect Christ. If Paul could work it out from prison, we can ask the Lord for a heavenly perspective to work it out right where we are.
When we work it out, folks, the fruit will show, and the aroma of Jesus will be evident in our lives.
Discussion Questions
1. Is there a salvation in you that you can work out? If not, ask the Lord to enter into your life and help you repent of sin—to receive Jesus as Lord.
2. Paul gave an imperative in working out our salvation; it is a must. Think about the last time someone asked about your salvation in Jesus. Did you tell them about working it out?
3. From a walk to an intense workout, both take initiative. How have you taken initiative in daily working out your salvation?
4. Does the "fear and trembling" part help or hurt the way you're viewing the imperative to work out your salvation? Why?