Bible League: Living His Word Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.On the one hand, there is our responsibility to do what we believe God wants us to do. On the other hand, there is God's providential work in our lives to accomplish His Will through us. How shall we reconcile the two? For the logician, it is an either/or situation, because the two sides seem to logically cancel one another out. But for the Apostle Paul in our verses for today, in contrast, it is a both/and situation. We work out our own salvation, and God also works through us to accomplish His good pleasure. "Work out your own salvation" does not mean that the members of the Philippian church must figure out a way to save themselves. It means that in Paul's absence they are responsible on their own apart from him to work out the implications of the salvation they have received from God through faith in Jesus Christ. In other words, they should produce works befitting those who have been saved by God without Paul telling them what to do. "With fear and trembling" does not imply that if the people do not work out their salvation just right they can lose their salvation. It means that they should work out their salvation with reverential humility and respect for the God whom they serve. Since they are now responsible on their own, they should be careful not to offend God through disobedience. The truly reverent and humble person cares greatly what God thinks of them. Although the Philippian church must now work apart from Paul, they do not work apart from God. This is because God is working through them to accomplish His Will. The church can be confident that He "who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). The mind of the logician boggles before our verses for today, but the person of faith accepts and rejoices in the mystery that includes both our responsible, reverential work and God's providential work through us. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJoshua 23, 24 Joshua 23 -- Joshua's Farewell Address NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Joshua 24 -- Joshua's Summary of Israel's History; Joshua's Death NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 6:27-49 Luke 6 -- Lord of the Sabbath; The Twelve Apostles; Beatitudes; Love for Enemies; Do not Judge; Tree and Fruits; House on the Rock NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me. Insight Every person dreams and makes plans for the future. Then they work hard to see those dreams and plans come true. But to make the most of life, we must include God's plan in our plans. Challenge He alone knows what is best for us; he alone can fulfill his purpose for us. As you make plans and dream dreams, talk with God about them. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering too. Shall the head be crowned with thorns, and shall the other members of the body be rocked upon the dainty lap of ease? Must Christ pass through seas of his own blood to win the crown, and are we to walk to heaven dryshod in silver slippers? No, our Master's experience teaches us that suffering is necessary, and the true-born child of God must not, would not, escape it if he might. But there is one very comforting thought in the fact of Christ's "being made perfect through suffering"--it is, that he can have complete sympathy with us. "He is not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." In this sympathy of Christ we find a sustaining power. One of the early martyrs said, "I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and he suffers in me now; he sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong." Believer, lay hold of this thought in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus strengthen you as you follow in his steps. Find a sweet support in his sympathy; and remember that, to suffer is an honorable thing--to suffer for Christ is glory. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to do this. Just so far as the Lord shall give us grace to suffer for Christ, to suffer with Christ, just so far does he honor us. The jewels of a Christian are his afflictions. The regalia of the kings whom God hath anointed are their troubles, their sorrows, and their griefs. Let us not, therefore, shun being honored. Let us not turn aside from being exalted. Griefs exalt us, and troubles lift us up. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? Romans 8:17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. John 16:27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. Hebrews 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Revelation 21:7 "He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 2 Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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