Hello Friends!
During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”
The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 2: Verses 12-18)
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me – Philippians 2:12-18
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: What is the role of the born-again “believer” and the role of our great “God” Himself concerning the Sanctification process taking place in “our” lives? Is it ME or is it HIM as such? Is it FAITH or is it EFFORT ensued? Is it TRUST or is it OBEDIENCE offered? In other words, are “we” to become Quietists in that it is “God” alone doing ALL of the wonderful “work” in us? OR are “we” to become Pietists in that it is “us” alone doing ALL of the waking “work” in us? Great questions! There is a beautiful BALANCE to these quizzical quandaries found neatly nestled WITHIN these poignant passages – Proclaimed by Paul!
OUR Work!
As these practical points “Paul” purposes unto the “beloved” begin, to willingly “work out your own salvation” is to wonderfully “work out” what GOD Himself has already worked IN His Divine directives during the powerful PROCESS of “our” solemn Sanctification journey:
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling – Philippians 2:12
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: This Greek verb to “work out” is a present-tense imperative of which is a COMMAND that has a continual emphasis to bring something to COMPLETION of ends. Thus, “Paul” is essentially saying: “Keep on CONTINUALLY making the EFFORT to willingly WORK OUT your salvation gift GIVEN unto you!” In other words, the Sovereignly supplanted “salvation” that has ALREADY been placed within you by “God” must be brought “out” unto its Sanctification fullness…
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness – Romans 6:18-19
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God – 2 Corinthians 7:1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called – Ephesians 4:1
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God – Colossians 1:10
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory – 1 Thessalonians 2:12
“Wherefore” this is a “confident” call for such SUSTAINED eager effort and decided diligence in willingly “working out” what has ALREADY been bountifully – Worked IN!
GOD’S Work!
And it is ALSO true that “God” Himself wonderfully “worketh in you” to willingly WILL and to DO all of “his good pleasure” within “your” life:
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure – Philippians 2:13
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: This Greek word “Energe” is used here by “Paul” and powerfully proclaims the perfect Biblical BALANCE between our own “work” and the energized “work” that is performed by “God” with the emphatic EMPHASIS being placed upon HIM concerning our Sanctification process for “Christian” living…
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God – 2 Corinthians 3:5
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? – Galatians 3:1-3
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ – Philippians 1:6
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us – Ephesians 3:16-20
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ – 2 Peter 1:2-11
“For” it is indeed “God” Himself of Whom moves powerfully to practically PRODUCE within each of “us” that which “He” Divinely DEMANDS from “us” in kind. That is the magnificent MYSTERY of the consecrated “Christian” life! Our great “God” is eagerly effecting within the “believer” what “He” is constantly COMMANDING of His own. And it can NOT be distinctly determined where the dividing line is Sovereignly set somewhere BETWEEN what wonderful “works” are of “God” and which are of “us” and how much “He” Himself will DO if only “we” will completely cooperate or how much “He” Himself will NOT do if “we” will NOT comply in overt OBEDIENCE unto Him. This wonderful “work” is indeed a magnificent – MYSTERY Mandate!
Do NOT Dispute!
Next the diligent discipliner “Paul” now deals directly with the coarse COMPLAINING companions concerning “all things” considered:
Do all things without murmurings and disputings – Philippians 2:14
HISTORICAL HINTS: In other words, “Paul” surely says: “Stop Complaining!” The Greek word “Goggusmos” used for “murmurings” emulates emotional belly aching and “Dialogismos” used for “disputings” instigates an intellectual debate donned. Incidentally, “in the beginning” it is told that “Adam” and “Eve” contentiously complained against “God” Himself. Then “Cain” contentiously complained against “God” in kind. Then “Moses,” “Aaron” and “Miriam” contentiously complained against “God” as well. Then “Jonah” contentiously complained against “God” and ON it goes in LIKE manner throughout the entire Old Testament and New Testament narratives in kind. Sadly, this manic mindset has intensely INFECTED the chided “church” in kind…
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come – 1 Corinthians 10:10-11
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory – Romans 9:18-23
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door – James 5:9
And what EVENTUALLY happens within this griping, great grumbling and meandering “murmuring” is that “we” too can begin to BLAME our great “God” in full. WHY? Because after all, it was “God” Himself of Whom put “us” here in the FIRST place! And in doing so, “we” are manically “murmuring” mindfully AGAINST Him as such. Beloved, “He” absolutely ALONE is the eternally Sovereign One of Whom has lovingly ordered ALL of the current circumstances taking place in “our” lives. Therefore, to coarsely complain is to “do” so adamantly AGAINST our grand “God” on High of which is nothing less than sadistic SIN seeded selfishness of the – HIGHEST Order!
LIGHTS in the World!
Conversely, as “blameless” believers WE are to surely “shine” like an illuminating insightful “light” in the demonic DARKNESS as solemn “sons of God” upon the wicked watching “world” wrought:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world – Philippians 2:15
There are serious reasons to STOP these mundane “murmurings and disputings” of the heart. WHY? Because select “sons of God” should “be” found “blameless” without credible criticism and held “harmless” through pious purity while living “without rebuke” within the maniacal “midst” of this “crooked and perverse” people such as His CHOSEN luminating “lights in the world” should be…
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil – Romans 16:19
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ – 2 Corinthians 11:2
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor – Ephesians 5:1-2
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless – 2 Peter 3:14
Effective EVANGELISM itself is primarily a matter of “God’s” cheery “children” surely SHINING as loving “lights” in a deeply DARK demonic “world” waning…
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ – 2 Corinthians 4:6
And as “Paul” aptly addresses this constant COMMAND concerning the “light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” in full, it comes down to TWO engaging elements: Our PERSONALLY charted character and common content considered. In other words, living “among” this negative “nation” of watching nigh nay-sayers abroad, it is not only WHAT we solemnly SAY that matters. It is also – WHAT We ARE!
Word of LIFE!
Here “Paul” provides an APPROPRIATE motto concerning “the word of life” for the true Bible-teaching choice “church” fellowship:
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain – Philippians 2:16
“Holding forth” it is the great “gospel” message of soul Salvation in which gives eternal “life” unto maniacal mankind of whom are DEAD in their terrible “trespasses and sins” complete…
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) – Ephesians 2:1-5
As a REAL result, “we” need “life” lauded as to wholly “hold” out that WONDERFUL worthy “word of life” for them as the dawning “day of Christ” draws near. And “Paul” deeply desires to rightly “rejoice” in that his “life” lived for “God” was NOT wrongly “run in vain” nor having been loosely “labored in vain” throughout his magnificent ministry mandate. Therefore, it is to “them” our purposed – PROCLAMATION Pronounced!
Sacrifice & Service OFFERED!
And finally, “Paul” thoroughly thought of HIMSELF as a dutiful drink offering outwardly “offered” in full “joy” unto the sweet “sacrifice and service” of the flourishing “Philippian” flock FOR our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” in kind:
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me – Philippians 2:17-18
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: The solemn “sacrifice and service” was perfectly poured out “upon” the alter “unto” our great “God” in the Old Testament times…
And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon – Genesis 35:14
And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering – Exodus 29:40
And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the Lord for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin – Leviticus 23:13
Therefore, this justified “joy and rejoice” are rightly REPEATED by a righteous resurgence of jovial “joy” also receptively RECEIVED by the “Apostle Paul” from the Colossian cohort as well…
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church – Colossians 1:24
Beloved, it is quite CLEARLY captured throughout the “Scriptures” that absolutely whatever is to be diligently DONE within each of “our” lives in righteous RESPONSE is to rightly “rejoice” in our great “God’s” complete COMMANDS concerned. “He” must FIRST effectively “Energe” entirely EVERYTHING through His practical powerful “works” working thoroughly THROUGH each of “us” until “our” future grand Glorification has been granted in full. Therefore, it is “God” Himself of Whom is “working out” His perfect purposes within our soundly – SURE Sanctification!
In closing:
And it is quite obvious even TODAY that “we” live in a very complaining society boldly BREEDING an entire conglomerate of complaining contingents and it is getting WORSE with each passing generation. In fact, the most indulged society is the most discontent society and the MORE people have, the MORE they seem to be discontent with what they DO have and the MORE constant complaining there is construed. There IS very little loyalty, very little thankfulness, very little gratitude and very little contentment contained – Mundane MURMURING!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
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