We’ve been mowing nonstop this season — the grass and weeds are growing six inches a day out here right now. Lane’s out there weedeating while I’m on the mower. By the time we climb down, we’re running on fumes.
It’s the kind of tired that makes you wonder where you’re even going to find the energy to do it all again tomorrow. But this passage reminded us that the energy for the work God’s called us to isn’t something we have to dig up on our own.
Philippians 2:12-13 says:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed… be energetic in working out your life of salvation. Be reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
In verse 12, Paul tells us to be energetic, reverent, and sensitive before God.
“Being energetic” means daily practicing the habits of salvation. Paul’s saying: if you are saved —
- act like it
- behave like it
- talk like it
- think like it
- live like it
Working out your own salvation doesn’t mean working for it. That work is already accomplished through Jesus Christ — we just receive it. Paul means: through Christ living in us, we exercise and strengthen the muscles of our salvation so God can work through us to complete His gift of grace and mercy.
Paul continues: work out your salvation with fear/reverence and trembling/sensitivity to God.
- Reverence = being in awe of God — marveling at His greatness and His ability to do anything and everything.
- Trembling = being sensitive and responsive to God — deeply reflecting on and examining every part of your spiritual life before Him.
Being reverent and sensitive starts with asking the Holy Spirit to reveal any dark or blind spots keeping you from being “just like Jesus.”
In verse 13, Paul says it’s God’s energy working deeply within us, in two ways:
- To will — He provides the motivation and desire
- To do — the transforming action, ability, and power
For His good pleasure. If we listen and obey, God is always working to design our life to honor Him, please Him, thrill Him, excite Him
So this week, regarding our salvation, let’s ask ourself: are we trying to work for something God’s already given you? Or, are you relying and depending on His overcoming energy to work deeply through you?