Sorry I haven't done one of these in a while guys, I've been crazy busy recently. But let's dig right in. Start by reading Philippians 2:12-18 "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. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 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, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the ay of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 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. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me."
There is a ton of truth in this passage, so let's start at the beginning the first verse says that we should obey God, and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. I get obey, but what does that second part mean? Well, the Greek for "work out" is katergazomai. I know, that means nothing to you. This word is an emphatic term meaning to work out, achieve, effect by toil. This verse is saying that we should constantly be praying and searching and getting closer to God. But how? With fear and trembling. And what does that mean? It is talking about a reverent fear. A fear of God's power, but not being scared of Him because He loves you.
Verse 13 then says that God is the one working in us. I find this comforting. If I know that God is working in me, then I know that it is Him who is doing the work in me and all I have to do is trust and follow Him.
In 14, Paul shifts gears. He goes to a new topic. He says we should do all things without grumbling or questioning. Wow. That's not easy. The Greek for grumbling is a word that sounds like a grumble actually. (coincidence?) The word for questioning is talking about a more intellectual questioning of who God is and what He can do.
Why should we do this? Well, verse 15 tells us why. So that we can be lights in the world. Paul's main point in this section is to teach us to be lights in a twisted and dark world. Is that easy? No, but by God's power it is possible.
Verses 16-18 show something amazing. First, Paul gives us another tip for being lights. What is meant by "holding fast to the word of life", believe it or not, is sharing the gospel. So Paul tells us that in order to be lights, we must share the gospel. And after this, he says that he wants the Philippians to be lights so that his ministry will not be in vain.
The main point we need to get from this passage is that we must work out our salvation so that we can be lights, and in order to be lights, we must share the gospel. ~ the disciple Jesus loves.
