REJOICE! GOD IS WORKING IN YOU!

Passage: Philippians 2:12-18

Key verse: 2:13

NIV

Do Everything Without Grumbling

12 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,(A) 13 for it is God who works in you(B) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.(C)

14 Do everything without grumbling(D) or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless(E) and pure, “children of God(F) without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a](G) 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(H) that I did not run(I) or labor in vain.(J) 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering(K) on the sacrifice(L) and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.(M) 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

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Footnotes
  1. Philippians 2:15 Deut. 32:5
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Lights in the World

12 Therefore, my beloved, (A)as you have always (B)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 (C)it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for (D)his good pleasure.

14 Do all things (E)without grumbling or (F)disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, (G)children of God (H)without blemish (I)in the midst of (J)a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine (K)as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to (L)the word of life, so that in (M)the day of Christ (N)I may be proud that (O)I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be (P)poured out as a drink offering upon (Q)the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, work out your salvation (12-13). God's good and wonderful purpose for us is to grow in the image of Christ. This is the life-long process of sanctification and it is something we can't do on our own. The desire and power for this comes from God as He works in our hearts through His Spirit and word. Our part is to cooperate! In light of Christ's example of obedience and exaltation, we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. How great was the price of our salvation and how wondrous the glory that awaits us! The grace and mercy of our Lord motivates us to obey His word and grow. Second, do everything without grumbling or arguing (14-18). God's vision for us is to shine like stars in this dark and wicked generation. For this, we are to be blameless and pure, which is impossible if we allow ourselves to grumble and argue with each other. Shining and complaining are complete opposites! The Holy Spirit is grieved when we struggle with each other. Instead, look at Paul's example. Even if his life was being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of the Philippians' faith, he rejoiced. They were to rejoice as well, as God was using their obedience to produce the image of Christ in them.

Prayer: Father, help us to walk in the Spirit and to grow in Christ. Forgive our grumbling and arguing.

One Word: It is God who works in you!