Title: Rejoice/Philippians 2:12-18
Those who believe in Jesus are called children of God in another sense. “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Those who believe in Jesus are children of God. So we came to call God our Father.
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:15, "You have received no more the spirit of bondage to fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption, so we cry, Abba, Father." Before, we were not children of God, but now we are children of God. “At that time you were outside Christ, outside the kingdom of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). Now you are children of God in Christ. Since we have become children of God, we must live as children of God.
How to live like a child of God?
The Apostle Paul is giving his beloved Philippians the way to live as children of God.
1. We must strive for our own salvation (verses 12-13).
Verse 12 says, “Therefore, beloved, always obey, not only in my presence, but even more now in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
The important word here is “work out your salvation”. No other word in the 2000-year history of Christianity has been as controversial as this. In other words, salvation is a free gift of grace from God. What does “work out your salvation” mean? Are you saying that we must make a human effort to be saved? So, aren't these statements contradictory to each other?
Now, the apostle Paul is sending a letter to those who have already been saved by his grace through faith in Jesus Christ. So what does "work out your salvation" mean here? The joint translation of the Bible is translated as "Strive for your own salvation."
There are three stages when the New Testament speaks of salvation. It is the stage of justification, sanctification, and glorification.
The word justification refers to being justified before God. It refers to what God considers sinless in Christ. You are justified by faith.
The word sanctification is an ongoing process in the justified person, the process that makes us holy. It means to be purified, to be pure, and to be made whole.
The word glorification refers to the state in which all Christians are completely freed from sin and corruption when they stand before God with a fully resurrected body beyond this life, death, and grave.
Salvation is divided into past salvation, present salvation, and future salvation. Being justified is the salvation of the past, the process of becoming sanctified is the present salvation, and the future salvation when we stand before God as a resurrected body.
Therefore, "work out your salvation" here means that you should strive and strive to purify, purify, and perfect yourself in the stage of sanctification.
The Philippians are those who have been justified through faith after hearing the gospel preached by the Apostle Paul. Those who are born as children of God. Now, to enter the stage of sanctification, we must strive and strive. After the children have grown to a certain extent, it is up to them to do their own thing, whether their parents are with them or far away.
That's why the Apostle Paul said, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, always obeying."
The word "with fear and trembling" here can be translated "with the fear of God" or "with a reverent heart." Whether you see it or not, the apostle Paul said, now, have a God-fearing heart, and strive to be holy with a godly heart.
But when we look at ourselves here, we feel that we are too weak to achieve salvation on our own. It is impossible to sanctify yourself. But even here, we find comfort and strength in the fact that it is God who makes us work hard to achieve salvation.
Verse 13 says, “It is God who works in you, to will and to do for his good pleasure.”
It is God who not only raises our minds to work hard, but also makes us able to do the work. Therefore, it is God who brings us to the stage of sanctification. It is also the grace of God that leads to the stage of sanctification.
God not only gives us the heart to do what is in accordance with His will, but He also gives us the strength to do it. He is the one who gives us the heart to work for the Lord and for the church, and the ability to work for the Lord and for the church.
God not only gives us the heart to pray, but He also gives us the ability to pray. God not only gives us the heart to evangelize, but also gives us the ability to evangelize. So we can rejoice without fear.
2. There should be no grievances or quarrels (verse 14).
Verse 14 says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Living like a child of God means not complaining against God and not arguing with people. It means not arguing with people.
In the book of Exodus, God led the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to cross the Red Sea like dry land. He led the way through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. However, the Israelites complained against God that they had no water to drink, that they had no food to eat, and that they could not eat leek, green onion, and garlic, and had a dispute with their leader Moses. The Israelites who came out of the wilderness complained about God and wanted to go back to Egypt.
Grievances and disputes arise because we do not understand Heavenly Father's love and trust in people is lost.
How do I get rid of resentment and quarrels?
1) We must remember the person of God.
God is holy and just. God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. God is not merciless or doing unjust things.
2) We must believe in the omnipotence of God.
There is nothing God cannot do. Everything is possible with God, even if it is impossible with man.
3) We must believe that God is our Father.
God is our Father. While we were still sinners, while we were still enemies with God, He sent His only begotten Son for us. He is the one who forgave us and saved us. He cares about us and loves us.
3. It must be represented by lights (verse 15).
Verse 15 says, “Because you are blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, to appear as lights among them in the world.”
We must live as light in this dark world. This world is a twisted and twisted world. It's an evil and crooked world. The word "distorted" means to be crooked and crooked. It's like a rake. The rake is curved like a hook, so it hangs anywhere. The word "against" means to go backwards.
In the midst of this crooked, crooked, and reversed generation, we must be blameless and innocent and live like a light that illuminates darkness.
That is why Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14), and the apostle Paul said, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. The fruit of the light is the fruit of all goodness and righteousness. in truth” (Ephesians 5:8-9).
4. We must reveal the word of life (verse 16).
Verse 16 says, “I want to reveal the word of life, so that I may have something to boast about in the day of Christ, that I may not run in vain, nor toil in vain.” The “word of life” here refers to the gospel. Because the gospel is the word that gives life.
Many who followed Jesus have left Him. At this time, Jesus asked his disciples, "Are you also going?" Simon Peter said, "Lord, to whom shall we go?" said.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearing. "(2 Timothy 4:7-8).
The apostle Paul asked the apostles to reveal and spread the word of life so that they might be proud of it on the day of judgment when Christ returns, because he has not run in vain, nor has he labored in vain.
Who will be crowned when our Lord returns? The first would be the martyrs who were martyred while preaching the gospel. And next, those who preach the gospel and bear fruit. Daniel 12:3 says, "He who turns many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever."
5. We must rejoice because of our dedication and service. (Verse 17)
Verse 17 says, “If I offer myself as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I will rejoice and rejoice with all of you.”
We should rejoice in devoting ourselves to God for the gospel, and we should rejoice in serving the Lord. The Apostle Paul said that he rejoices in the dedication and service of the Philippians, even if they offer themselves as a drink offering. Even if he pours out his own blood, he rejoices.
The sign of being a child of God is rejoicing in the Lord.
That is why Philippians 3:1 says, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice.”
Not only can we rejoice because we have been saved and become children of God, but we can also become God's servants and evangelists by being called by God, and not only be able to dedicate ourselves to serving and serve the Lord, but also to shed the blood of martyrdom for the Lord and for the Gospel. He testified that he would rejoice even if he was poured out.
The apostle Paul did not say that he was the only one who rejoiced. Verse 18 says, “In the same way, rejoice and rejoice with me.” The characteristic of a child of God is to always rejoice in the Lord.