God's Divine Work In Your Life

GOD’S DIVINE WORK IN YOUR LIFE

Philippians 2:12-15

As a father of 5 children I have learned that there are “creative” ways to get your children to do certain things that you want them to do. For example, if you want them to pick up sticks in the yard and you tell them “go pick up all the sticks you can find and put them in a pile”, they will likely whine, complain and aimlessly wander around the yard. But if you start a fire and give them the opportunity to throw those sticks into the fire, they will make sure that there is not a twig left on your property. (This may not work for you, it could be that I am raising a bunch of pyromaniacs, but it gets the job done!)

Our Heavenly Father has a way of getting His children to do the things that He would have them to do; However, He does not have to use manipulation. Instead, He uses the Holy Spirit to guide us and empower us to serve Him. In our selected text, Paul tells us about a work that God would have us to accomplish; he says, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (v12). Without a doubt, this is something that God would have each of His children to do.

If we isolate verse 12 we may be intimidated, we may even look at this command as being impossible, and in the flesh it certainly is. However, in verse 13 Paul shows us how the impossible is made possible. You see, God gives a command, He assigns and important work, but He also empowers us to accomplish this work. In fact, He accomplishes this work through us; verse 13 says “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

This is such a comforting reality; though we have been tasked with a great responsibility, we are assured of success if we will simply: obey God, surrender to Him, and allow Him to work in and through us. The work that God does in and through our lives is a sovereign and divine work. When you realize that the all-powerful God is the one in control then it will give you great confidence as you seek to accomplish His will for your life. I would like to examine these verses today and preach on the thought “God’s Divine Work In Your Life”.

Paul is writing to the Philippians from a Roman prison. These people are precious to him and their friendship and partnership in the Gospel ministry was a source of great joy in the midst of his suffering. This letter is a “thank you note” from Paul to his brothers and sisters in Christ. This letter also contains: many exhortations, great encouragement, and much instruction concerning the Christian life.

The Philippians had been obedient to Paul’s teachings and leadership when he was present with them. They were also devoted to Christ and steadfast in their faith and service even in his absence. This is seen the phrase “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed…” The Apostle goes on to encourage them to press forward even though he is unable to be present with them, saying “now much more in my absence work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”.

Paul is not calling on the saints to work towards (or for) their salvation; keep in mind he is writing to people who are already Believers. By no means is he implying that salvation is something that can be earned. In fact, Paul more than anyone else makes it abundantly clear in all of his Epistles that salvation is not by works; it comes by the grace of God through faith in Christ and in Him alone! He said in 2 Timothy 1:9 “(God) has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began”.

While instructing the Philippians to ‘work out their own salvation”, Paul uses a Greek verb that literally means to continually work to bring something to completion. Though the salvation of our souls is not by works, there is an element of personal responsibility in the sanctification process. Several scriptures point to this fact.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 7:1 “…beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” This verse (and many more) makes it clear that we have a responsibility to pursue holiness and to submit to God’s work of sanctification in our lives. Paul says that “working out” ones salvation is to be done “with fear and trembling”. This speaks to the attitude that they were to possess as they lived for the Lord. Their pursuit of holiness was to be motivated by fear and respect of the Heavenly Father.