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“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV)

Pastor Skyler’s sermon on this passage is titled, “Work It Out”.

The Christian life is one of effort. We are not justified by our own efforts, but in this passage, we are commanded to work. This reality flies in the face of phrases like, “let go and let God,” as though our obedience did not require any energy or deliberate work on our part.

However, it is also clear that the power that fuels our effortful obedience comes from God, not us. Paul says that as we work, God works in us, both to will and to work. Jesus also confirms this in John 15:5 when he says:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

How amazing is that! This week, when you resist temptation, or when you don’t lose your temper in traffic, or when you pray for your neighbor, or when you share the gospel with your coworker, or when you do any act of obedience to God, that action was only possible because almighty God was living and moving in you, working with you to do it.

As Paul says above, let us marvel and tremble, not with terror or panic, but with a reverent fear that is full of awe and wonder, that our God works within us. And then let’s get to work.

 

For Further Study

  • What are some new year’s resolutions you can make for how you want to obey God more/better this year?
  • How does knowing that our obedience requires genuine effort on our part affect our day-to-day life?
  • How does knowing that the power to obey God comes from God himself who works within us, encourage us to work even harder to obey him?
  • Book recommendation: The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. This is a classic allegorical tale of sanctification in the life of a Christian. There is also a great free animated movie of this story available on YouTube that is suitable for the whole family.