God’s Work & Good Pleasure (Philippians 2:12-18)

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MPS: On account of Christ we live our lives to God’s glory and pleasure.

On account of Christ you are to work out your salvation. (12-13)

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 

• Christ is the basis for the encouragement and instruction by the Apostle Paul.
• Paul commends their prior obedience and fully expects them to obey what he is about to instruct.
• Paul uses “salvation” as a term to refer to the believer’s entire life after conversion. This life is to be worked out in “fear and trembling”; the believer is to be active in their faith and not neglectful of the gift that they have received in Jesus.
• God’s work in the believer causes the believer to live out their life to the glory of God.

On account of Christ you are to shine as lights in the world. (14-16)

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

• For the sake of your witness to the world on behalf of Christ you should avoid distracting yourself and others and yourself from the Gospel.
• You are a bad witness to the world when you waste your time arguing and complaining.
• You are a missionary to the world, trained in the Word of God by the Apostles, and empowered by the Spirit.

On account of Christ we are to rejoice in all things. (17-18)

17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. 

• Paul has sacrificed personally in the furthering of the Gospel and building up of the Philippians’ faith.
• Paul is grateful and rejoices in their faith and salvation.
• Likewise the Philippians should rejoice in their salvation and Paul’s work in bringing them to Christ.

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