Philippians 2:12-18
To read the passage, click here.
What stood out to me as I prepared to write this blog was the connection between reverence for God and personal holiness. Paul starts this section with a "Therefore". When I first started studying the Bible as a university student, I remember someone saying, "When you see a therefore in the Bible, you need to ask what it is there for." This "therefore" links the elevation and worship of Jesus as Lord with the life of the Philippian believers. Their conduct is to be an outflow of their reference for Christ.
Paul encourages them as "dear friends" who "have always obeyed" to "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling"(2:12). For a book marked with outburst of joy and thanksgiving, these words seem almost out of place. Fear and trembling? Why? The text goes on to say, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (2:13).
Now I find it hard to communicate in print what I want to say right now. So maybe you could help me by saying these words slowly and outloud if possible:
GOD IS AT WORK IN ME.
GOD'S SPIRIT DWELLS IN ME.
THE HOLY, LIVING GOD IS RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
The ability to obey the next command comes as a breeze in light of this. "Do everything without complaining or grumbling." (2:14). This normally troublesome command is no problem because when I am in such reverence for God, my tongue is tamed, even silenced. "Yes, Lord. I'll do what you ask," are the words my heart speaks.
There is so much more in this passage - about the children of God shining in the dark world, about Paul's continued joy even if his life may end, about the challenges of ministry.... but I want to stop here and invite you to enter the reverence that is worthy of God. Attend to the Almighty in your midst.... in your heart... and invite Him to help you work out your salvation with fear and trembling.*
Holy is the Lord!
*End note: It may not be clear to you what I mean by attending to God. The first thing I suggest is to follow the escatologically vision of verses 10-11 and get down on your knees and speak out loud that Jesus Christ is Lord. Then just wait, let the truth of that confession penetrate your soul. Worship by telling God what you think of Him and what you feel for Him. Go on to read verses 12-13, asking for His help and thanking Him for His work in your life.
What stood out to me as I prepared to write this blog was the connection between reverence for God and personal holiness. Paul starts this section with a "Therefore". When I first started studying the Bible as a university student, I remember someone saying, "When you see a therefore in the Bible, you need to ask what it is there for." This "therefore" links the elevation and worship of Jesus as Lord with the life of the Philippian believers. Their conduct is to be an outflow of their reference for Christ.
Paul encourages them as "dear friends" who "have always obeyed" to "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling"(2:12). For a book marked with outburst of joy and thanksgiving, these words seem almost out of place. Fear and trembling? Why? The text goes on to say, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (2:13).
Now I find it hard to communicate in print what I want to say right now. So maybe you could help me by saying these words slowly and outloud if possible:
GOD IS AT WORK IN ME.
GOD'S SPIRIT DWELLS IN ME.
THE HOLY, LIVING GOD IS RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
The ability to obey the next command comes as a breeze in light of this. "Do everything without complaining or grumbling." (2:14). This normally troublesome command is no problem because when I am in such reverence for God, my tongue is tamed, even silenced. "Yes, Lord. I'll do what you ask," are the words my heart speaks.
There is so much more in this passage - about the children of God shining in the dark world, about Paul's continued joy even if his life may end, about the challenges of ministry.... but I want to stop here and invite you to enter the reverence that is worthy of God. Attend to the Almighty in your midst.... in your heart... and invite Him to help you work out your salvation with fear and trembling.*
Holy is the Lord!
*End note: It may not be clear to you what I mean by attending to God. The first thing I suggest is to follow the escatologically vision of verses 10-11 and get down on your knees and speak out loud that Jesus Christ is Lord. Then just wait, let the truth of that confession penetrate your soul. Worship by telling God what you think of Him and what you feel for Him. Go on to read verses 12-13, asking for His help and thanking Him for His work in your life.
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