THE OUTWORKING
Opening Prayer
Lord, show me Your standard for me. Thank You for Your work in my life!
Read Philippians 2:12–18
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 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, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 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. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does your life measure up to what you believe?The final service of a wonderful Christian festival had just come to an end. Worship songs were still ringing in our ears as we climbed into our vehicles to head home. But while we were singing there had been a terrible storm. The parking lot was a mud bath and cars were veering all over the place. Tempers quickly became frayed in the dash to the exit. It was time for our worship to be outworked in our driving!
Caught up in the great hymn to Jesus (6–11), the Philippians may have forgotten that Paul has just asked them to do something (2,3). The hymn exalted Jesus’ obedience, “even to the point of death.” Would they now be obedient? Israel had been a “warped and crooked generation” (Deut. 32:5), a phrase applied to contemporary society in Philippi. Israel had grumbled and questioned Moses’ leadership (Exod. 16:7; Num. 11:1). By contrast, the Philippian church is to shine with the beauty and obedience of Christ (15b). For them it meant outworking their salvation in their relationships; for Paul it might mean a martyr’s death (17). Either way, they were not alone: the outworking of our faith, and even the desire to do so, is the work of God (13).
Apply
Despite his circumstances, Paul is full of joy (17). Obedience is the path to joy. Choose joy today!
Closing prayer
Lord, teach me to rejoice in You, whether I feel like it or not.
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