Working It Out Together
April 11, 2024 at 3:57 pm | Posted in Philippians | Leave a comment
Tags: commentary on Philippians, Ephesians 2, fear and trembling, Galatians 2, Philippians 1, Philippians 2, Romans 4, sanctification, Sunday School lessons on Philippians
Previously we looked at the Kenosis in the Christ-hymn which is inserted during the discussion about togetherness in the Gospel and in Christian ministry. This togetherness can be hindered by selfishness and pride. The antidote for selfishness and pride is humility.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:3-5
This was the lead-in to talking about Jesus’s Kenosis, so the purpose of inserting it there was to show Jesus as the ultimate example of humility and the God-given exaltation and glorification which follows true humility.
But this leaves us with a problem. The Apostle says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” That sounds like a great plan – UNTIL we actually try to put it into practice. Who can really think like Jesus, much less act Jesus? Well, in the very next verse, we see that it is going to take serious work:
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:12
What does it mean to work out our own salvation? Let’s start by stating what it CAN NOT mean:
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 4:5
If there is one thing we know from Pauline theology – and, more to the point, from Christian, Biblical salvation doctrine – it’s that we can not save ourselves by our works. Therefore, Philippians 2:12 must be talking about some other type of works: non-meritorious works, works that are coming FROM something that is already there, not works that are earning something or creating something that comes from within the worker. This means that, although the idea of works being commanded in connection with the word “salvation” in the same verse sort of jumps off the page, and may seem like a head-scratcher at first glance, it is not really that uncommon for the ideas to be related in the way that they are here.
Compare:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
This is very clear, and sounds and seems right, once we have grasped the concept of salvation by grace through faith, but, almost as if responding the objection that a gracious, faith-based salvation means that “it doesn’t matter” what we actually do, the very next verse tells us where “works” do fit in:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Now we can see that the “good works” are in a separate category. We are not saved BY good works, but we are saved unto good works, and in most cases it’s easy to differentiate between salvation/regeneration/justification and another doctrine called “sanctification.”
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:12 (emphasis added)
Obedience sounds like sanctification language, but let’s acknowledge that it does say “salvation,” not “sanctification…” and THEN let’s acknowledge that sanctification has two facets two it: Positional sanctification and practical or progressive sanctification. Positional sanctification happens instantaneously at the moment of justification and new birth. In that instant a new Christian is “set apart” – his classification as a “saint” is a fait accompli. He now belongs to God as a child and a servant, with a calling and a classification. And the “He” Who began this work of salvation is the One Who will complete it through sanctification:
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6
The positional sanctification will result in the PERFORMANCE of practical sanctification, and this is what we might consider a part of the “big picture” of salvation. Although true Christians “have been” saved, we are still “being saved” in the sense that God is still making us into something we were not before. When we trust Christ unto salvation we are instantly saved from the penalty of sin, but we are beginning the process of being progressively saved from the power of sin, and this means work for us – not meritorious work (working for) but motivational work (working out).
Think of it the way we think of math problems. 6246 ÷ 347 = 18. This is a math problem I “worked out.” Did my calculations make it true? Did they make it happen? No, they demonstrated what was already a reality. But does this mean that I played no part in it? No, I needed to think, and scratch and scribble, and use an eraser and start over. This was part of the solution to the math equation for me personally, and hopefully I made progress in getting better at division, but the ultimate reality behind the numbers is something that came from somewhere else – some greater power. Which is why Paul could barely get out the idea of working out our salvation before he hastened to add:
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:13
Our “workout” is empowered by God’s work, so that even if we classify sanctification (and our cooperative effort) as part of salvation, God still receives the glory for all of it.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
The Deep End 
Working It Out Together
April 11, 2024 at 3:57 pm | Posted in Philippians | Leave a commentTags: commentary on Philippians, Ephesians 2, fear and trembling, Galatians 2, Philippians 1, Philippians 2, Romans 4, sanctification, Sunday School lessons on Philippians
Previously we looked at the Kenosis in the Christ-hymn which is inserted during the discussion about togetherness in the Gospel and in Christian ministry. This togetherness can be hindered by selfishness and pride. The antidote for selfishness and pride is humility.
Philippians 2:3-5
This was the lead-in to talking about Jesus’s Kenosis, so the purpose of inserting it there was to show Jesus as the ultimate example of humility and the God-given exaltation and glorification which follows true humility.
But this leaves us with a problem. The Apostle says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” That sounds like a great plan – UNTIL we actually try to put it into practice. Who can really think like Jesus, much less act Jesus? Well, in the very next verse, we see that it is going to take serious work:
Philippians 2:12
What does it mean to work out our own salvation? Let’s start by stating what it CAN NOT mean:
Romans 4:5
If there is one thing we know from Pauline theology – and, more to the point, from Christian, Biblical salvation doctrine – it’s that we can not save ourselves by our works. Therefore, Philippians 2:12 must be talking about some other type of works: non-meritorious works, works that are coming FROM something that is already there, not works that are earning something or creating something that comes from within the worker. This means that, although the idea of works being commanded in connection with the word “salvation” in the same verse sort of jumps off the page, and may seem like a head-scratcher at first glance, it is not really that uncommon for the ideas to be related in the way that they are here.
Compare:
Ephesians 2:8-9
This is very clear, and sounds and seems right, once we have grasped the concept of salvation by grace through faith, but, almost as if responding the objection that a gracious, faith-based salvation means that “it doesn’t matter” what we actually do, the very next verse tells us where “works” do fit in:
Ephesians 2:10
Now we can see that the “good works” are in a separate category. We are not saved BY good works, but we are saved unto good works, and in most cases it’s easy to differentiate between salvation/regeneration/justification and another doctrine called “sanctification.”
Philippians 2:12 (emphasis added)
Obedience sounds like sanctification language, but let’s acknowledge that it does say “salvation,” not “sanctification…” and THEN let’s acknowledge that sanctification has two facets two it: Positional sanctification and practical or progressive sanctification. Positional sanctification happens instantaneously at the moment of justification and new birth. In that instant a new Christian is “set apart” – his classification as a “saint” is a fait accompli. He now belongs to God as a child and a servant, with a calling and a classification. And the “He” Who began this work of salvation is the One Who will complete it through sanctification:
Philippians 1:6
The positional sanctification will result in the PERFORMANCE of practical sanctification, and this is what we might consider a part of the “big picture” of salvation. Although true Christians “have been” saved, we are still “being saved” in the sense that God is still making us into something we were not before. When we trust Christ unto salvation we are instantly saved from the penalty of sin, but we are beginning the process of being progressively saved from the power of sin, and this means work for us – not meritorious work (working for) but motivational work (working out).
Think of it the way we think of math problems. 6246 ÷ 347 = 18. This is a math problem I “worked out.” Did my calculations make it true? Did they make it happen? No, they demonstrated what was already a reality. But does this mean that I played no part in it? No, I needed to think, and scratch and scribble, and use an eraser and start over. This was part of the solution to the math equation for me personally, and hopefully I made progress in getting better at division, but the ultimate reality behind the numbers is something that came from somewhere else – some greater power. Which is why Paul could barely get out the idea of working out our salvation before he hastened to add:
Philippians 2:13
Our “workout” is empowered by God’s work, so that even if we classify sanctification (and our cooperative effort) as part of salvation, God still receives the glory for all of it.
Galatians 2:20
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