DATE: 27th September, 2020
THEME: PERSISTING TO THE END
SCRIPTURE READING
Ezekiel 18:25-32
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32
PSALTER: PSALM 25:1-9
PREPARED BY: OSOFO YAW DODD
INTRODUCTION
In the flow of thought, these verses from Philippians 2: 1-13 introduce the conclusion of an appeal for unity that began in Phil 1:27 and runs through 2:18. “So then” (2:12) in Greek indicates a conclusion from what precedes. Also, all of the words used here are plurals in Greek. Paul is not telling individual Christians to individually work out their personal salvation, as is often taught. Rather, he is appealing to the church, based on the example of humility seen in Jesus Christ, to work out the PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THEIR SALVATION IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER. Because God Himself is at work in their midst as a church, they need to lay aside personal rights and humbly serve one another, putting others ahead of self. In so doing, they will stand out as lights in this dark, selfish world (2:15).
So Paul is especially concerned about these dear people (“my beloved”) working out the relational implications of their salvation, with a view to their corporate testimony to the lost. IF WE TALK ABOUT SALVATION BUT CAN ’t GET ALONG WITH ONE ANOTHER, EITHER IN THE CHURCH OR IN OUR HOME, THE WORLD LAUGHS OFF OUR MESSAGE. But when the world sees Christians laying aside selfishness and regarding one another as more important than self (2:3), they will be more inclined to listen to the gospel. That’s Paul’s main message here, that we need to work out the practical implications of our salvation, because God Himself is working in our midst.
BODY
- WE MUST POSSESS SALVATION BEFORE WE CAN WORK IT OUT.
“SALVATION ” is a theological word we sometimes toss around without thinking much about its implications. It’s a radical word because it points to a situation where someone is in dire straits.
The Bible tells us that the condition of every human being outside of Jesus Christ is that we are perishing, under God’s wrath and condemnation. Unless we are saved, we will go into eternity bearing the penalty for our sins. Unless we see our desperate condition, we will not call out to God to save us from our sins.
So we will not understand “salvation” if we think it just means that Jesus can give you a happier life. It refers to God rescuing us from Satan’s domain of darkness and transferring us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13, 14).
The Bible is clear that we can never work for salvation, to earn or merit it, SINCE IT IS THE FREE GIFT OF GOD (Eph. 2:8-9).
▪Once we possess salvation, then it’s necessary to work it out in its practical, everyday implications.
▪Once we possess salvation, we must learn to hold in tension two seemingly contradictory truths that the Bible clearly affirms: that salvation, from start to finish, is God’s work; but also, that at the same time, salvation requires diligent effort on our part.
- SALVATION, FROM START TO FINISH, IS GOD’S WORK.
We’re not saved because we chose God; we’re saved because God willed to save us. He begins the good work in us. Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit” (John 15:16).
One of the most prevalent errors in Christendom today is the idea that lost people can choose God by their own free will. The fallen human will is bound by sin. Jesus said plainly, “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44).
Salvation depends on God choosing us and irresistibly drawing us by His grace according to His good pleasure. God not only wills our salvation; He works it. Salvation is not through any human effort. It comes from the mighty power of God imparting spiritual life to those who were dead in their sins (Eph. 2:1-5), resulting in a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Salvation, from start to finish, is God’s work.
- SALVATION REQUIRES DILIGENT EFFORT ON OUR PART.
Now that our focus is on working out our own salvation, we need to discern what Paul means when he says, “WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION ”. To work out means to actively work to bring something about as you are striving and giving all your energy for this purpose. Paul is not saying salvation is something we earn by work (we are justified by faith, not works) but is saying that believers must be actively working out their salvation (sanctification). We strive to please our Savior, and this is a demonstration of our salvation.
We are told to work out our own salvation with “FEAR AND TREMBLING ”. This does not mean that we live our lives in panic and anxiety, BUT WITH AWE AND REVERENCE FOR GOD. It involves a sober assessment of yourself: not seeking to exalt yourself or not resigned to a depressed feeling of yourself. It is not thinking of yourself too much or too little. Working out your salvation with fear and trembling means to live with an intense desire to do what is right.
- GOD IS AT WORK IN YOU
If this sounds too difficult to do, take heart. We are told in Phil 2:13 that God is at work in you. As you work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, God is at work within you. What does it mean that God works in you? It means to will and to work.
▪God works in you to will/desire: your desire to pray, read your Bible, etc. is from God.
▪God works in you to work: your work is only possible through God’s previous work (workmanship).
▪God works in you for God’s own satisfaction.
He delights in our work (That should spur our good works). If you hate that you don’t pray as you should, it is God calling you back to Himself. If you hate that you don’t read your Bible as you should, it is God calling you back to Himself. The preserving work of God is that He will never let you fall away (Jude 1:24-25) Let these words give you comfort: “FOR GOD IS AT WORK IN YOU.”
- SALVATION ALWAYS HAS PRACTICAL RELATIONAL IMPLICATIONS.
This is the main point of Paul’s appeal here, that if we are truly saved by God working in us, then we are under obligation to work out relational differences by following Christ’s example of self-denying love. Just as Jesus laid aside His rights, just as He did not live for Himself and His own pleasure, just as He put others ahead of Himself, even to the point of death on the cross, so we must learn to die daily to self and live for others for Jesus’ sake.
If you claim to be saved, but you persist in selfishness, in refusing to yield your rights, in demanding your own way, whether at home or in the church, your life isn’t backing up your claim. If the living God (“God” is emphatic in the Greek of 2:13) truly is at work in our midst, we must work out relational differences in a spirit of Christ-like humility and love.
CONCLUSION
PRECIOUS ONE! How are your relationships at home? With other Christians? If God has saved you, you’ve got to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who laid aside His rights and went to the cross on our behalf. Work out your salvation by dying to self and loving others for Jesus’ sake. Enjoy the service. Stay BLESSED
PREPARED BY
VERY REV DR. SAMUEL DUA DODD
CALVARY METHODIST CHURCH
ADABRAKA-ACCRA
