Power For Obedience
/In Philippians 2:12, Paul is continuing to write to the church of Phillipi. He tells them to “work out your salvation”. And if we look back at Philippians 1:1 and forward to Philippians 3:9, we can conclude that the people Paul is writing to are Christians in Philippi that have already been set right with God. They, like us, were waiting for the day when they saw Christ face-to-face. There was still a future completion of their salvation, but the definitive thing had already happened.
So we come to Philippians 2:12 knowing that Paul doesn’t mean “do works to earn your salvation”, but instead, Paul is telling us to continue obeying (verse 12), lead lives pleasing to God by keeping his commandments (verse 13), and the manner in which to do these things (verse 14). Paul is telling us here to work deeds of obedience in light of the salvation Christ has already provided. And Paul is going to give us details about what our lives should look like in Philippians 2:14-18, but, before he tells us what to do, he equips us to actually do it. He gives us the spiritual power necessary for obedience.
When Paul says, “work out your salvation” he’s telling us to obey (“work”) in light of the salvation Christ has made for us. And let’s think about that salvation, if we've been saved, there are new realities about us that cause us to live lives of obedience. For example, if you are in Christ you are no longer the same. You have been spiritually raised from the dead and given a new nature. God has produced new life in your inner being. And new life lives.
That’s one of the new realities in the life of the believer that causes us to live lives of obedience. Another is the fact that you now belong to a family that is responsible for and to you. You have brothers and sisters who help you live a life pleasing to God.
Another one of these new realities is salvation. Perhaps you think of salvation as the forgiveness of your sins, but the Bible calls that “justification.” And justification is one of the critical components of our salvation, but salvation also includes:
Imputation - Jesus didn’t only take your sins to his cross. He poured out his righteousness on you. That’s what we see when looking ahead at Philippians 3:9. In Christ, you are better than forgiven. You are holy.
The hope of the resurrection.
The promise that we are co-heirs with Christ.
Adoption.
So, live like you’re forgiven, and also…
Live like you’re an adopted child of God.
Live like you can never be put to shame, because you belong to the one whose name is above every name.
You’re an adopted child of God. So live like you aren’t desperate for, willing to sacrifice anything, demean yourself to receive love from others. Because you have been loved at the highest price by the one whose name is “love.” And he has promised to love you always.
Live like you have an eternal inheritance.
Don’t grasp for everything you can get in this life, because you have eternal treasure.
Don’t feel like you’re defined by your earning potential, because someone has earned you the right to walk on streets of gold.
Don’t long for a nicer home. Someone is preparing a place for you in his home.
All of these are new realities for the Christian which lead us, encourage us, empower us to “live out” our salvation. We are citizens of heaven. Let’s live like it even now on earth.