Philippians 2: 1-13
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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.
Sermon Quotes and References:
This is not an exhortation to the Philippian Christians to work on the general personal salvation of the individual members. Paul here is concerned about the well-being of their common life together in community (see 1.28; 2.4). This church had grown spiritually ill (2:3–4), And Paul was now focusing their attention on the steps which were necessary for unity & selflessness & Christ-likeness. Paul’s understanding of “salvation” is narrow & specific: in your relationships with one another, live out the humility that Christ has brought you & modeled for you. – Gordon Fee, Philippians
The assistance of Divine Grace is not given to us to put aside our own efforts, but to excite them. God comes to us to work in us … what? To be indifferent? No! But to work in us to will with resolution & firmness! Does He work in us to sit still? No! He works in us to do. The direct effect of the influence of Grace upon the heart is to make a Christian active – and the more Divine Grace he or she has the more energetic they become! A Christian will never gain godliness except by energy. – Charles Spurgeon, “Working Out What Is Worked In”