Written ~ 7-24-2023
Philippians 2:12-13
“Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”
When you have a mentor or wonderful teacher and they are either no longer near you, or possibly even have passed away, it’s so important not to lose the stride you had while sitting under their guidance or teaching.
Paul was visiting many churches as he taught and spread the gospel, I think a lot of people sat under his teaching and absorbed everything he said and used him as their guide while he was with them. But Paul didn’t stay in one place for too long, he had a lot of places he needed to visit and people to encourage. So, when he took off to a different church it may be that he saw a decline in their service to the LORD when he wasn’t around. In our verses today Paul is gently disciplining the church.
“… now that I am away, it is even more important to work hard…”
Have you ever heard the term “a Sunday Christian?” It’s where you are on your best behavior, put on your “Sunday best attire”, make sure to have a smile on your face, engage deeply with the music, listen intently to the pastor’s message, but once you are back home everything about you quickly changes. This is sort of what Paul is warning us about. Don’t just follow instructions while the pastor or your mentor is around but continue to obey the Word of God and work to make sure your Salvation is seen by others. It’s not the pastor or a mentor or teacher that you’re following -it’s God. We are following God’s instruction, His guidance and leadership.
In verse 2:12 it says,
“… we are to work hard to show the results of your salvation…”
Not just at church, but every single moment of every single day. Our reverence and fear of the LORD is deep and something we should be pursuing at all times.
Verse 2:13 starts off by saying,
“For God is working in you…”
So… it’s great to have a mentor, a pastor who feeds your hunger for Biblical knowledge… But it’s God who is working in you. It’s God who is… “giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”
When Covid-19 closed down the world for a good year or so, the church buildings lost their attendance. And because of this a lot of people felt displaced, lost because they didn’t have their church to commune with. Some slipped away, never to return. Slowly, ever so slowly we saw everything opening back up – but where are those believers who once were diehard church attenders? It may be that they followed the instructions and teachings of the pastor but didn’t have the deep reverence to God that fueled their desire to continue the work of the LORD.
Verses 2:14-18 – Paul’s thoughts continue…
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.”
Paul cared so deeply for those he taught and ministered to. Even when he couldn’t be there with them, he wanted them to continue in the work of the LORD. He loved them so much!
We can’t always be with those we love, physically, distance separates us. But the LORD God unites us with His Spirit. God is the one who ignites our joy, and, in that joy, we can be a constant encouragement for one another. It would be wonderful to always have those we love an arms distance away. But Paul couldn’t always do that, he had to encourage those he loved from a distance. Look at us today! Paul has long since been in heaven with the LORD, but he is still reaching out to us with the words he left behind. He’s still pointing us to the One who fuels our desires and ignites the power within us all!
Whatever we may be facing today – God is with us. Our eyes should be looking to Him. Our guidance comes from Him, so our reverence should always go to Him first.
Show the world the results of your salvation. Obey the LORD’s commands, know where Salvation comes from. Study the Word of God – obey God, our reverence to Him should be deep and unwavering!
Thank You Father for the encouragement of Paul’s words – He loves You so much and wants all of us to know the same love. Help me Father to recognize the desire and power You have put in my heart. To work hard to show Salvation to others. Sometimes I don’t know what that looks like – So guide me LORD, work through me.
Thank You LORD!
~AMEN~