THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSIBILITY

Philippians 2:12,13

Part one

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Christianity involves both God’s work and the believer’s cooperation. God provides everything by means of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We only receive that finished work by faith. However, salvation is much more than just justification by faith or being reconciled to God. It also includes living by faith as well. In this aspect, the believer’s responsibility comes into play. In this message we will examine two aspects of this responsibility.

We need to take responsibility in developing our own life with the LORD - verses 12, 13

1. Taking the Initiative - v.12

Living for Christ is not something that just automatically happens in the believer’s life. We must work together in cooperation with the Holy Spirit to make it happen. Paul says to work out our salvation – not work for our salvation (Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 3:28). In other words, what God has worked in, we are to work out. It means to continue to work to bring something to fulfillment or completion. To bring our salvation to the surface so that it is visible to others. Note that the phrase, “with fear and trembling” is the attitude with which we are to do this - healthy fear of offending God.

2. Recognizing our Resources – v. 13

Although the believer is responsible to work out our salvation, we are nevertheless to recognize that God is the One who works salvation in us through His Holy Spirit. Note that He works in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure”. Everything He works within us is primarily to please Him. Basically, He is making indirect reference to the fruit of the Spirit, which is the full-orbed symmetrical character of Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:19-21; II Peter 1:4-7). These fruits may not all be apparent at once. However, they are all potential in the believer’s life. This is another way of saying that God is conforming us to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). More often than not this work of God involves His allowing us to experience suffering (Philippians 1:28, 29). The key to adjusting to this conflict is to realize the “why” of it. We can endure just about anything if we understand that it is ultimately for our good. I can endure the pain of going to a dentist when I come to realize that the end justifies the means. For example, James 1:3 tells us “knowing that the testing of our faith works patience.”

So beloved, let’s accept what comes our way this week by anticipating the end results – God at work in us. God bless.

Love to you all,