The Christian Life: We Strive, God Strengthens
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Introduction
Introduction
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
There are three things I want you to consider from Philippians 1:27-28 by way of introduction:
Your life is to be marked by the value of the Gospel.
Be worthy - counterbalancing, prop. weighing as much, of like value, worth as much as
Wow! Paul is saying that we must live up to the gospel. Is he crazy? this gospel is the greatest story ever told, it is the most amazing rescue operation of all time, it is the most loving act in history, it is the best new that anyone can hear and understand. This is impossible. It is if we do not understand the gospel. The nature of the gospel is helping those that do not measure up. A life worthy is a life that trusts the gospel.
You are to labor among and with a body of believers for the advancement of the Gospel.
You are standing firm - to be firmly committed in conviction or belief.
In one spirit . . . with one mind - acting as one person and one man. The only way this occurs with a group of people that come from various backgrounds is that they need to lay aside their own personal preferences and pursue a singular vision and goal that meet all of their needs.
Striving side by side - contending together, struggling together, fight together, assist in battle, toil with
For the faith of the gospel - the confidence, commitment in and towards the good news. To whose faith does the Apostle refer? Is he referring to me striving related to my own faith or my striving for the sake of another's faith? John Piper is helpful here:
It is possible that the striving for the faith of the gospel refers to the zeal and vigilance that we should show to strengthen and preserve our own faith. But I doubt that is what Paul has in mind. I think he has in mind the sorts of efforts we make to spread the faith of the gospel.
The reason I think that is because in verse 28 he speaks of the need to be fearless before our opponents. In other words the situation he has in mind is something public—some effort for the gospel that meets with opposition. And in 2:15 he refers to them as shining as lights in the world, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. So what Paul is saying is that in order to live lives worthy of the gospel there must be a unified fearless striving for the faith of the gospel—an effort in some way to see the gospel spread and win more and more faith in the world of unbelief.
This would certainly include us growing in our own faith, but we should conclude that a life worthy of the gospel desires for the gospel to advance in the lives of others.
You are not to allow any opposition to stop your commitment to the Gospel.
Not frightened in anything by your opponents - not scared or terrified in a thing related to those that are against you.
These realities are why we have been going through the process of renewing our commitment to Christ and his church. as we do so, I wanted to remind us from the letter to the Philippians of our great responsibility and our great hope.
PRAYER
12 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, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
We are to submit to God continually (12a-b)
We are to submit to God continually (12a-b)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence,
Therefore, my beloved - In light of all Christ is and has done. Loved ones
As you have always obeyed - Paul point to their willingness to submit and do what God has called them to do. He has in view, first of all, their original obedience to the gospel teaching. A similar idea is described in
17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Without this initial obedience, continual progress and growth is impossible. In addition, all subsequent obedience to God is done in light of this initial submission to his authority, love and mercy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to growth in our submission to God in all areas of life as we understand the gospel more and more.
Not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, - He is saying here that their continued obedience to God should be more intense due to his absence. I believe this is the exhortation of a loving father. He is telling them that its harder to live for God when your mentors are not there to protect you and give you day to day guidance. Therefore, they are to intensify their attempts at obedience in his absence.
Practical lesson:Have you obeyed the gospel? Do you have for your perpetual attitude a desire to obey God? Do you understand the connection between our love to God and our submission to him? What areas of rebellion need to be squashed in your life?
We are to strive in reverence to God (12c)
We are to strive in reverence to God (12c)
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Work out - This is a command telling the church in Philippi what they should and must do. The word is translated "work out" has the sense of continuing a work to its conclusion, thus keep on working … to complete. Keep on working should not be rendered in such a way as to refer merely to physical toil.Could be “keep on striving,” “give all your strength to,” of “endeavor very much to.”
Your own salvation - second person plural, to the church as a whole, but with reference to each individual. Salvation is eternal deliverance given by God. Is he saying we are to somehow save ourselves? No, this is not his intention. It is clear in too many other texts that salvation is by grace and not dependent upon works. So then, what does he mean?
I believe, Paul has at least two things in mind. These are adapted from An Exegetical Summary of Philippians.
1) Each individual’s responsibility for the carrying out of the salvation which they have already received by faith (1:27), work for the full realization of your salvation in your life. Spurgeon writes concerning this aspect, " We are never to sit down and fold our arms, and say, “My lifework is over. I am saved. I have no pilgrimage to make to the Celestial City. I wage no war for driving out the Canaanites.” O Beloved, the time of rest will come on the other side of the Jordan, but as yet it is for you to press forward like the racer whose prize is not yet won, and to watch like a warrior whose conflict is not ended! Your own salvation is your first concern."
2) Each of members responsibility to promote full spiritual health of the whole community. Each of them and all of them together must pay attention to the health and well-being of the entire congregation. - These realities complement each other as we function.
1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What shall be our disposition toward this hard work related to our salvation? With fear and trembling - with reverence or respect to God. Our efforts and striving to become more like Christ should never lead to spirit of independence or arrogance. Our labor should be done in humble reliance on God and with regard to who he is in all of his glory.
Practical lesson:Are you a passive or lazy Christian? Have you let discouragement keep you from acting on God's Word? What plans are you implementing to help yourself and others in living a growing Christian life? Are you satisfied with where you are? Don't you desire more of Christ and more fruitfulness in your life.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
We are strengthened by God for his joy (13)
We are strengthened by God for his joy (13)
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Why does Paul include this phrase about the activity of God on the behalf of the Christians in Philippi? If they know God is working to do what his will is, won't they just be lazy and let God do his thing? No, this truth does not in any way negate the command they have just read. Therefore, I believe Paul desires to encourage them in their struggle to be like Christ in the midst of an evil world. He believes their knowledge of God's will and work for them will strengthen their toil because if God is for us, who can be against them?
God works - This is the Creator and Sustainer of the whole universe. He works, he labors, he is active, he is operative, he is active. Remember, he is the God that created with a word and rested though not tired. He never sleeps or slumbers. He is energetic. Where is God working? in you - God desires truth in the inner parts. That's where change occurs.
Both to will and to work - He is working in us the will or desire and the work or ability to achieve. God is enlivening us to do what we cannot do own our own.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Why is God working in us? It is to secure our progress and growth, but, there is more.
For his good pleasure - This is speaking of us being able to bring God happiness or us to do the will of God. Therefore, our growth is related to the delight of God
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Practical lesson:Have you forgotten that progress and growth is God's idea? Have you neglected to see how he has committed himself to you? Do you realize that his pleasure is directly connected to you and I working out our salvation? Do we not have every good reason to be encouraged and hopeful about what God is going to do in our lives?