Sovereign Responsibility

Philippians 2:12-13

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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Reading through the text it is easy to glance over things that are incredibly important. Sitting in a quiet room reading through the daily reading for the day it is easy for the cadence of the text to slowly push us into a stupor, as if we have blinders on only looking for the section break so we can call our Christian duty done for the day. Or to allow the child, spouse, dog, or random sound outside to propel our thoughts off the text into daydream as our eyes read and our minds play. The prize goes to him who is able to remain focused on the text. To him who is able to do the work. This text is one of those places that are easily overlooked and yet tell us a great deal about God and what he requires of us, and what we should expect from ourselves.

Paul begins this section with the affirmation of past faithfulness. Recognizing that the church in Philippi has always shown itself faithful to his instruction and example. He then tells challenges them to “work out your won salvation with fear and trembling”. What a great challenge! He is telling us that we have a special role and responsibility to put forth effort that we might grow in godliness. Yet he doesn’t stop there, he continues telling us that it is God who works in us for his pleasure.

Did you catch that? Paul just told the Philippians it was their job to work out their salvation, but then said it was God’s doing. Which is it? Is it my job or God’s? Am I responsible for my growth in Christ or is God responsible for it? To swing negative, am I at fault for a lack of growth, or did God simply not let me grow?

Parenting is a challenge. Sometimes I tell my children to do things that they refuse to believe they can do. Yesterday I had the joy of taking my children to Fort Larned. All of them wanted to climb on a restored wagon. As they began climbing in one of my sons refused to believe he was capable of accomplishing the task. He had watched those bigger and smaller than himself navigate the different routes to the driver’s seat but was persistent that he was unable. Through some coaching, guidance and encouragement at varying decibel levels, the task was eventually accomplished. It is unfair to say my son did the work, but he did, at the same time I did work as well and am responsible for the final outcome, but to say it was my work would also be a falsehood. It was my son’s work and perseverance with “fear and trembling” that accomplished the task, but it was also my work through my son that accomplished the goal for my “good pleasure” of watching all my children enjoy playing and pretending.

Yes, I could have simply lifted my son up and put him into the wagon, that was his desire, but I chose not to touch him and that is for his blessing. I could have walked away and done nothing but my desire was to watch him enjoy the day, not simply teach lessons. Our work is like that, we long to draw out truth and revelations of God from the text, but we need the Spirit to coach us and reveal it to us. He wants us to find them.  This is why we pray, that God would guide us in righteousness, and that our work might allow us to dwell in pleasure as we attain the goals set for our pleasure and his!

Coram Deo