God’s at Work in You
Barbaranne Kelly, Guest Writer
TODAY’S TREASURE
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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:12–13).
Today’s Treasure passage begins with “Therefore.”
Say it with me: “What’s it there for?”
I’m tempted to look back at the verses immediately prior and conclude, “Wow! After all that Jesus has done for me, I should now, therefore, do this for him!” But look further. Just before the statement of Philippians 2:6–11, Paul writes: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (2:5). Paul is referring to the gospel truth that, because of what Jesus has done for us, we don’t simply roll up our sleeves and obey and work out our salvation on our own, but the very mind of Christ—the heart-attitude He had toward us in coming to save us—is already ours because we are in Him. And therefore, we can “work out our salvation” because “it is God who works in us, both to will [desire] and to work [do] for his good pleasure.”
But what is the Holy Spirit-empowered work we are to be desiring and doing? Is it climbing impossible mountains or slaying deadly dragons? Not quite. Paul continues:
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain (Philippians 2:14–16).
Does it really take the power of God to not grumble and dispute? Oh heavens, yes. It not only takes such power to not grumble and dispute, but it also takes such power to believe.
Notice that Paul connects our not grumbling and disputing (14) with holding fast to the word of life (16). Our faith to believe the gospel in the first place—the word of life—is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8), and once we receive this gift, we will not be snatched out of His hand (John 10:28–29). And yet, once we believe, it still takes the power of the Holy Spirit for us to hold fast to our belief through not only the ups and downs of prosperity and tragedy but also through the mundane disappointments and annoyances of daily life—those issues and people about whom we are tempted to complain and with whom we are tempted to argue.
Paul’s earlier calls to unity among the believers in Philippi find another echo here in our passage. This is one-way citizens of heaven live in a manner worthy of the gospel. Standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (1:27), being in full accord and of one mind (2:2), and in humility counting others more significant than ourselves, and looking to the interests of others (2:3–4) is much easier if we aren’t complaining about our circumstances or arguing with one another.
But we can’t do this on our own. We need the transforming power of God to work in us to possess the contentment which eliminates our complaining and the affection and sympathy which dissolve our disputes. Because of our sin nature, these are mountains to climb and dragons to slay! But take heart, dear Christian, God’s transforming power is ours in Christ Jesus, Who, without complaining or arguing, emptied Himself to become a servant, and humbled Himself by becoming obedient, all the way to the cross.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Our daily, earthly living is directly affected by and wrapped up in the gospel truths of Christ’s obedience, His atonement for our sins, His resurrection, and His exaltation. Therefore, believers can live in a gospel-worthy manner, shining “as lights in the world.” This is the blameless purity for which Paul prayed at the beginning of his letter, the fruit of righteousness with which Christ fills His people, which results in glory and praise of God (1:10–11). And on the day of our Lord’s return, Paul, along with every spiritual mother and spiritual father, will be proud of the spiritual children over whom they have labored and prayed in the hope of the gospel. This isn’t the ugly, self-serving pride that wants to steal the spotlight, but the humble, delighted, overjoyed pride that wants to turn the spotlight to another and boast of their achievements.
Paul speaks of his anticipation of that day and the value of the humility and unity he hopes for the Philippians in terms of the altar of sacrifice:
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me (Philippians 2:17–18).
He sees their persevering, obedient faith as the principle offering—like a bull or goat—laid upon the altar and his own sacrifices in bringing them the gospel and discipling them—perhaps even martyrdom—as merely a drink offering poured over their own. Even if he is to be executed for Christ, he is glad and rejoices with his beloved friends for the work he sees the Lord doing in their lives. Paul, who began his career hunting down and persecuting Christians (Acts 7:58, 8:1, 3), has been so changed by the power of the Holy Spirit because of the cross-work of Christ that he is now joyfully prepared to be martyred for the cause of the gospel.
PRAYER
Father, thank You that neither my salvation nor my sanctification depends on me, but that You, by Your marvelous grace, sent Your Son to redeem me from my sins, and by Your Spirit, You are at work in me to live in a manner that pleases You. Grant me the wisdom and the humility to do all things without grumbling or disputing and the strength to hold fast to Your word of life with joy. Amen.
More free resources for help hope & healing:
Treasures of Encouragement, Women Helping Women
By Sharon W. Betters
Treasuresofencouragement.org Learn how God sends treasures of encouragement to help turn hearts toward Jesus and how the beauty, privilege, and power of biblical encouragement is a means to invite others to trust the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness in the mundane moments and especially in the broken places of life. Free supplemental resources.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Barbaranne Kelly and her husband Jim are the parents of five of the neatest people they know, and now Barbaranne is the Grandmommy to THREE grand boys! In October that will change to FOUR! Barbaranne and Jim are members of Christ Presbyterian Church in New Braunfels, Texas, where she leads a Bible study for women in the hope that she and they may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge Enjoy and be inspired by more of Barbaranne’s writing at her blog.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Thursday, 11 May 2023.
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