Philippians 2:12-13
Lights, Camera, Action – Working out what God is working in
Philippians 2:12-13 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
The director calls “Action”
Important to note:
- We work out our salvation
- Not work for your salvation
Ephesians 2:8-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
James 2:17 “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Grace is opposed to earning, but not opposed to effort.
It is important for us to realize – The director is working behind every scene.
Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you”
The Greek word used here for work is energeo:
- God is working in you
- God is energizing you
When filming starts – The actors still need to act
Colossians 1:29 “To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”
Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will”
Ezekiel 37:26-27 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws”
God wants to put in us:
- A new heart
- His Spirit
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Philippians 2:12 “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”
The Christian life is not lived in our own power but neither is it lived without our participation – John MacArthur
God doesn’t call us to produce the movie; He calls us to faithfully play the role He’s written, trusting the Director who is working behind every scene.
Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
