Philippians 2:12-16a (PHILLIPS) So then, my dearest friends, as you have always followed my advice—and that not only when I was present to give it—so now that I am far away be keener than ever to work out the salvation that God has given you with a proper sense of awe and responsibility. For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose. 14-16a Do all you have to do without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be God’s children, blameless, sincere and wholesome, living in a warped and diseased world, and shining there like lights in a dark place. For you hold in your hands the very word of life.
Observation
Paul is writing this letter from prison. It is a letter filled with the joy of serving his Master. He encouraged the Philippians “to work out the salvation that God has given you with a proper sense of awe and responsibility.” This is the work we are called to allow and encourage within us because “it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose.”
Paul is telling us that we are responsible for the obedience and cultivating a life of worship, praise and prayer. God is responsible for the results – in us and through us. Working out the salvation that God has given us may (and usually does) require a sacrifice of our pride, our rights, our wills, our comfort, our reputations.
- Paul had such clear perspective, kept his focus on the purposes of God while ignoring the cost to himself – the mark of a good and faithful servant.
- Paul did not concern himself with what people said, did or thought about his actions; his reputation was expendable if it’s loss was necessary to obey and faithfully serve his Master.
- He did not grumble or complain about his circumstances or experiences (at least not out loud), but, rather, gladly, even joyfully, endured whatever was necessary to faithfully and fully serve his Master.
- Paul constantly sought God for His instruction on how to honor, glorify and fulfill His will and purposes in every situation, trusting that he was there to be used by God, content in the assurance that God was in charge of the results of Paul’s obedience.
- Paul didn’t waste time or energy in prayer asking to have his situation improved, but, rather, prayed that he might be effectively used (good and faithful in service) wherever he found himself.
He allowed God to do the cost/benefit analysis, trusting in the wisdom, grace, power and plan of His Master. Jesus was the ultimate good and faithful servant – the innocent bearing the pain and shame of the Cross for the guilty (all humanity) that the plan of God would be fulfilled. Jesus is our example in setting aside rights, reputation, comfort and even life itself to have the faith to trust and serve the Father’s will and purpose, fulfilling His plan to redeem whosever will come.
Impact on Me
Oh, my! Paul tells me to imitate him only in the ways he imitates Christ. This is a tall order when I consider his life and ministry.
- Learning to be content in all circumstances – whether abased or abounding – with no grumbling or complaining
- Always seeking to keep my feet in the footsteps of Christ, following His example as He marks the way He would have me go whether the road appears easy or tough
- Letting God judge whether the cost to me is worth the benefit to His kingdom
- Gladly, even joyfully serving when faced with a painful or difficult task
- Being willing to sacrifice my pride, my rights, my will/wants, my comfort, my reputation to fulfill His will and purpose
These are all characteristics of a good, obedient, loyal and faithful servant. This is what I profess I want to be. Am I willing to pay the price? Will I risk my reputation, my financial security, my rights for His cause, for the souls inhabiting the darkness of this “warped and diseased world”? How much do I really trust God? How much do I really believe that all I own is His? How much of me and mine am I willing to spend if He asks me to do so? These are questions that will determine what I truly treasure, count as precious and worth owning, and where my heart truly is.
Prayer
Lord, You are our Creator, our Redeemer, the only wise God. You made a perfect plan to redeem us before the foundation of the world. You are the only Master who can be trusted to be just and right in all You do and ask. Give me the wisdom to submit to You in all things, to seek You always for what You would have me do and be. Give me the courage to always choose obedience to You and Your will regardless of the cost to me. May I consider obedience to You the treasure worth all I am or possess. In Jesus’ name, make it so.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 
Oh, yes Father, I want to be faithful to following your footsteps. Help me to not be distracted by “beautiful distractions”.. Help me reach out to others and be an encouragement to them as we travel along.
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