Thoughts From Philippians 2 - Part 3

 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. Phil. 2:12-18

         I remember when John Piper ruffled some feathers when he criticized the popular worship song "What a Beautiful Name" because of the line, "You didn't want Heaven without us". He said that it was man centered theology suggesting that God was incomplete or needed humanity. Personally, I love that song and don't think it implies that at all, but I do agree with him that we do misunderstand the grand scope of things in modern day Christianity and specifically in evangelism and sharing the gospel. When we share the gospel, the emphasis is on reconciling a broken relationship with God caused by sin and remedied by the cross of Jesus appropriated to us by faith. I usually end with we get to go to Heaven, but I miss the whole plan for us on Earth. Why doesn't God whisk us away right after salvation? This passage focuses on our brief time here and what we are to do once we are saved.

       Before we even get to that, we have to examine our motivation and attitudes. Are we complaining and arguing? "Do I have to go to that?" "Why can't we just stay home and relax?" "They have enough helpers, they don't need me." Or we go, and so and so isn't there and we are disgusted with them. Paul says that it is God who works in you to will to act and enable action. If you are grumbling and complaining, you have to check your love for God and your yielding to the Spirit inside you.

       So what is His good purpose for us? That we might become blameless and pure Children of His that shine in a dark world. Do you stick out? When you enter a room of non-believers, do you bring Christ into it or leave Him outside. Occasionally I run into people, and I can see in their eyes or countenance that they are Children of God. There is a resident in Memphis I knew immediately when I met her that she is a Christian. There is a new graduate student that I met that I will ask next time. Don't be afraid to ask people. If you're wrong, at least you have started a faith conversation. And don't get discouraged that the world is getting so evil. It will only magnify your brightness!

      I want to glow, don't you? Moses glowed from spending time in God's presence so much so that he had to wear a veil around people. May that be us!