INTRODUCTION:
It is very common today that people are in the fitness things. First, exercise gyms are on the rise. Both the young and older ones are getting into physical workout, not just to build muscles or to shape their bodies but also to bolster the strength that is already in them. Second, it is only now that we can notice that more and more Filipinos are into reading books. Proof of that is that second-hand bookstores are also sprouting in many malls. So it’s physical workout for physical fitness and books for mental sharpness. But what is for our spiritual fitness?
Proposition: Believer’s spiritual fitness is achieved through the working out of salvation.
Interrogative Sentence: How can we work out our salvation?
Transition Sentence: The following verses from the Philippians 2:12-18 will show us how to work out our salvation.
I. Obey God with reverence and with one mind (12-13)
Let us first consider the phrase “work out your salvation” to clear out our minds of cobwebs. This phrase gives misinterpretation to some by thinking that in order to be saved man needs to perform many good works. The phrase must be read correctly, it is not ”work for” but “work out”. “Work for” implies merit system but “work out” implies that salvation is already in us and must be demonstrated outwardly. The proper understanding of the phrase is very much important to our obedience to God.
A. With all devotions to Him (12b-13)
“… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his purpose.”
Paul said that Christians must continue to work out their salvation or demonstrate their faith through works not just in the presence of any religious leaders or fear of them but because of their total devotion to God. Keeping mind (also) that it is God who is working in them and not anybody else. This also means that they should not work because of God’s retribution but because of their respect/reverence of God.
B. With all desires
He also wanted for Christians to obey God with one mind or with a total focus on God’s purpose in their lives. God’s desire is to complete His work in every believer (Phil. 1:6). So Paul explained that it is God that moves Christians to will and act according to his purpose and that everyone must submit all his desires to God. This is our act of working together with God in his purpose. To satisfy God’s desire is our utmost desire.
Illustration:
Almost everybody knows Oswald Chambers. He is famous for his book, “My Utmost for His Highest”. Chambers is a right person to write such kind of book. Before he became a pastor, he is a very gifted painter and he loves to paint and desires to become one of the greatest. He could have enjoyed a long and distinguished career like of Vincent Van Goh, Da Vinci and other famous painters of the time. But after hearing a sermon of Charles Spurgeon, he laid down his brushes when he sensed that God is calling him to the ministry. He gave all his desires to God. His utmost desire is to satisfy God’s desire. He preached around the world and directed a Bible College.
II. Obey God with full submission and with one heart (14-16)
A. Without bargaining
A good follower obeys every command. God is our master every command given must be obeyed. In the military, the phrase “Obey first before you complain” is a constant reminder to soldiers. This phrase offers a room for complaints but it is different when you are under the authority of God. We are to obey Him without any complain or arguing. Our right to bargain has been repealed for what is required to us is a total surrender or full submission under His authority. Complaining and arguing is tantamount to questioning his purpose and his perfect will in our lives.
Illustration:
Jonah’s response to God’s direct order was an act that questions God’s perfect will and purpose. God rebuked Jonah and went on to fulfill His plan for the Assyrians. This story tells us that whether we like it or not His words will accomplish his purpose. So, there’s no use of bargaining with God, the best is to obey willingly.
B. With undivided heart
One day, a little boy is being scolded and while being admonished, his father told him o sit down. The boy responded angrily, “Alright, I will sit down but in my heart I am standing!”
Does the boy submitted to his father’s will? Certainly, he did not. In the same way, working out our salvation is to obey God with undivided heart. 100% WILLINGNESS OF THE HEART IS REQUIRED. Divided heart means divided loyalty. Incomplete obedience is 100% disobedience.
Illustration:
Ananias and Saphirra in Acts gave God an incomplete obedience and god saw it as complete disobedience.
Undivided heart will lead us to a blameless life and being pure children of God (v. 15) partaking in His divine nature. We must not live like those who are forgetful of God—doing things on their own will, like those people in Moses’ time (stiff-necked people/disobedient generation). We must enjoy doing the things God would enjoy doing himself.
C. With a firm hold in His words
Full submission is also characterized by how we take the word of God. Since it is the Word of God that commands us to demonstrate the kind of life we should have, as people under His authority we must take a firm hold in His words. Firm hold in his words is also to contend against those who will try to discredit or destroy them. We must constantly proclaiming and demonstrating the Word of God publicly.
Illustration:
John Harper a Scottish preacher demonstrated his firm hold in God’s word—believing that the gospel is the only power of God to save sinners.
· He and his 6-year old-daughter were on board in the first and last voyage of the Titanic.
· When the ship was already sinking and after giving his daughter to the man pulling people to be on board of the lifeboat in the upper level.
· He made himself busy by helping others to get save. He was shouting, “Women and children and the unsaved to the lifeboat first!”
· Then he met a man without life vest, he take off his own and gave it to the man.
· When the ship sank and he was floating and drifting in icy water, he came across a man and he asked, “Are you saved?” “No!”, the man answered
· “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved!” he proclaimed to the man. And then, they drifted apart.
· Then, in a little moment he met the man again.
· He asked once more, “Are you saved?” “Honestly, I don’t know. No! I am not save”, the man answered
· “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved!” he proclaimed to the man. And then, John Harper went down to the water and was not seen by the man again.
· In a meeting in Ontario, Canada, a man was giving his testimony, he said, “Shortly after he went down, and there, alone in the night with two miles of water under me, I believed!”
· The man is saved because John Harper firmly believed that God’s word brings salvation to the lost.
Doubt in His word should have no place in our hearts. There should never be any moment that we won’t trust them. We should live by them, especially in times of needs. Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth f God’ (Matthew 4:4)”.
Christians must shine for the Lord through obedience with full submission.
Our obedience to God is most of the time best tested in times of difficulties…
III. Obey God with a rejoicing heart (16b, 17-18)
Paul wrote this letter from prison and from this kind of situation in his life he is giving them a fitting illustration of working out his salvation through his total obedience to God and submission to his will and purpose.
A. With life as a sacrifice (17a)
Paul served God with all his life. He did not run away from the service. His life was like a sacrifice offering to God. He calls for us to make ours as sacrifice being offered to God. Maximize the use of our lives for God—no one should labor for nothing.
Illustration:
A couple of decades ago, a group of young missionaries headed by Jim Elliot went to the Aucan tribe to bring the gospel to them. But after a few contacts with the tribesmen they were all killed by the people they wanted to win for Christ. The Aucan warriors thought of them as enemies. All these five missionaries sacrificed their lives at a very young age. But they did not die for nothing, a few years later their wives went to the same people whom they tried to win for Christ. And by the grace of God they succeeded in winning them for Christ by demonstrating their faith. They took care of their people, helping the sick to get well and even giving haircuts to the men who killed their husbands. It is reported that after a few years more than 90% of the Aucan tribe became Christians.
B. With his labors as his joy (16b)
Paul is trilled by the thought of the Philippians being presented to Christ in His return as the fruit of his labors. Plus the fact that the Philippians are also serving the Lord faithfully and fruitfully (“and service coming from your faith”), he is doubly happy. He is also proud that he was able to use his life fully for God.
We too must work out our salvation in view that we will face the Lord as his faithful servants—rejoicing in proclaiming Christ to the world.
Just like Paul, we should always rejoice in all things (17b-18, 4:4), whether in hardships or in good condition. Our labor in the Lord is our joy, for we do not labor in vain.
Conclusion:
As believer in Christ salvation is already ours. We don’t need to work for it anymore. It is a promise fulfilled in us when we put our faith in Christ. However, we, as true saved people are to proclaim our faith in Go and to demonstrate it through our obedience to God’s will—that is by working our salvation. The kind of life we are living tells our spiritual fitness. God is working in us to bring us into completion (Phi. 1:6). Our work is to cooperate with his workings in us. Vital part is to put ourselves fully under the authority of God as obedient soldiers with “All yes, sir!” answers.
YOUR SPIRITUAL FITNESS WILL BRING MANY DYING SOULS TO CHRIST. LIVE FOR JESUS. EXERCISE YOUR FAITH ALL THE TIME!
