Lesson 10
The Outworking Of God's In-working
Philippians 2:12-18
Our text today is Philippians 2:12-18. This passage is very practical. It is about how Christians are suppose to live. It speaks about what God's people are expected to do. Practical Christianity is, one might say, the theme of this text.
It follows one of the most doctrinal statements in the whole Bible (2:6-11). But we should not think this strange, for it is typical in God's Word for doctrine to be followed by duty. Philippians 2:6-11 explains the doctrine of Christ; Philippians 2:12-18 expresses the duty of Christians. Chapter 2:6-11 describes the person and work of Christ; chapter 2:12-18 demonstrates the practices and works of Christians.
When I first read this text, it seemed to me, that the passage contained a rapid fire of successive commands. But I discovered that, actually, there is one main command in the passage, and everything else tells us why and how to obey that command.
The single explicit command is this (v.12): "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". That phrase is one of the most misunderstood phrases in the whole Bible. Many people read this phrase and interpret it to mean that each of us has to figure out what it will take to save us. It's as if, salvation is like a math problem which we have all been given, and we are each suppose to find out how to solve the problem that we have been given; the solution is salvation. Like we each have to help God save us. But that is not the meaning of this phrase at all!
Paul does not say, "Work at your own salvation" or "Work for your own salvation" or "Work toward your own salvation" but "Work out your own salvation". "Work out" means outwardly manifest your salvation; reveal your salvation outwardly by your conduct. In fact, the phrases around it in verses 12-13, clearly tells us what the phrase means. Paul says, "As you have always obeyed, not only when I am present, so now, much more in my absence ... work out your own salvation in fear and trembling. "Obey(ed)" is used interchangeably with "work out your own salvation". We are to manifest our salvation, not only when we are in the presence of Christians, but even more when we are not around Christians. We have a tendency to be real holy and pious when we are in the presence of Christians, and are more likely to sin when no Christians are present. My pastor use to say, "If you decide to sin, do it in front of Christians. They will forgive you, and pray for you, and try to help you. Don't commit sins in front of non-Christians, because the damage is much worse!" Working out your salvation is equivalent to obeying.
"Working out your salvation" is equivalent to "pleasing God" (v.13). That is what is meant by the statement "to do of his good pleasure". Verse 13 explains that it is God who is working within us so that we will both desire and do that which pleases God. God worked for us when he provided salvation. Now, God works in us. The word "worketh" means "energized". God provides the enablement and the energy to obey. We do not live the Christian life by our own power and strength. God energizes us. God give us the desire and the ability to obey. When a person is genuinely saved, his desires are changed. Before he was saved he wanted to please himself. Now, he wants to please God. A Christian may have the ability to sin, but he doesn't have the appetite for sin. The desire and the ability to obey God and to please God, come from God working within us. "We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto to good works" (Ephesians 2:10).
We are told then to work out that God is working within. We are to outwardly display what is inwardly being done by God. "Work out you own salvation" does not mean that we manufacture salvation, but that we distribute it.
Paul adds that we are to do it with fear and trembling. Not trusting in ourselves, but in the Lord; not relying upon our own strength, but in his. We are afraid of sin, afraid of Satan, afraid of the flesh, afraid of potential influence of the world system.
So the whole subject here is the outworking of God's in-working. Demonstrate your salvation; manifest outwardly that which God is doing within you. Express your salvation by your conduct. Let the world see your salvation!
Paul has told us what to do, next he tells us how to do it. There are 3 ways in which we "work out our salvation."
I. Right Relationships Within The Church, 2:14.
There are many things that a church can do and should do, but there are two things that a church can "do without". In everything that a church does, it must be done without ...
A. Murmuring - The idea of this word is grumbling, whispering, secret talks half concealed and half-uttered. Often when a person in the church is unhappy about something, they find someone who will listen and whisper their complaint to the person. That's murmuring. The church is to be without murmuring.
B. Disputing - This word means "arguing, questioning". It isn't right to whisper your complaints, nor is it right to be argumentative and quarrelsome either.
II. A Clear Testimony To The World, 2:15.
We are in the world but not of the world (Jesus).
1. Crooked - messed up.
2. Perverse - depraved, mean.
B. What A Christian Is - "the sons (children) of God". We are different! We cannot win the world by being like the world. We win the world to Christ by being different. Our difference is our testimony. We can't talk, live, go to the same places, participate in the same worldly activities, dress according to the demands of the world. We are called to be "shining lights" (Mt. 5:16) ....
1. Blameless
2. Harmless (as doves; sheep); not dangerous.
3. Without rebuke - above reproach.
III. Embracing God's Word, 2:16a.
God's word is unlike any other writing. It is "alive and powerful" (Heb.4:12); it is "able to save your soul" (James 1:21). It is referred to here as "the word of life". It is the "word which gives life". "Holding forth" means holding on to, embracing. We such embrace God's Word. We should clutch it. We should love it and regard it as precious to us. We should obey it. This is a means through which we demonstrate our salvation.
Paul concludes (vs. 16b - 18) by saying, "If you will do these things, when I stand before Christ, it will be with joy because my race was not run and my toil was not done in vain. Even if I am poured out like a drink offering upon an altar, I am glad and rejoice. You can be glad and rejoice with me. Joy is the result of "working out your salvation."