In my early years as a Christian, I would have used Philippians to make a case that being a Christian was about working hard to become perfect – that’s why my senior quote was, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have yet been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me.” (Really!:) It was my way of saying to the classmates and teachers who thought I was ‘perfect’! (yeah, I really believed this!:), “No, I’m not, but I’ll get there!”

IS IT ANY WONDER THAT I FELL HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE WITH THE GOSPEL WHEN I TRULY BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND IT?!!!

This morning, in my continued study of Philippians, I read the verses I would have misused so many years ago and in them discovered the good news of God’s grace. Read them and then listen to what brilliant theologian Alec Motyer has to say:

Phil. 2:12-18

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 according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Alec Motyer’s commentary:
“But there is more to verses 12-16a than a list of commands; it is also a list of reassurances. There is a balance created between what we are to do and to strive to be and, on the other hand, what is already true of us. By statement or implication the directives are ‘Obey’, ‘Work’ (verse 12), ‘Do’ (verse 14), ‘Be blameless’, etc., ‘Shine’ (verse 15) and ‘Hold fast’ (verse 16). The reassurances are ‘God is at work’ (verse 13), ‘You are God’s children’, ‘You are lights’ (verse 15). This is the balance and testimony of the verses: the Christian life, growing in the likeness of Christ, is a blend of rest and activity – not alternating from one to the other, but a blend in which, at one and the same moment, the Christian is both resting confidently (for example, on what God is doing within) and actively pursuing (for example, the duty of being blameless). 126

Your own salvation is to be understood, not as an objective yet to be reached, certainly not as a benefit to be merited, but as a possession to be explored and enjoyed more fully.”

On verse 13:
“The note of effectiveness is sounded by the verb which Paul uses (energeo) and which characteristically describes work which achieves its purpose; the outcome is guaranteed in the deed. The verb is defined later in this same letter (3:21) when, using the related noun, Paul speaks of the ‘effective working’ (RSV ‘power’) by which he is able to subordinate all things to himself. God’s working is effectual working;  he cannot be deflected from his course nor fail to achieve his purpose. With our daily catalogue of failure and our not infrequent despair of ourselves, what unspeakable comfort lies in this truth!”