TEXT: Philippians 2:12-18 (CSB) – “Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me.”
Consider these verses of Scripture as we start this part of our study-
· “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9
· “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:5
· “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23
· "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
· "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Acts 16:31
· “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12
Whoa – Problem Time! That last passage doesn’t fit. The Bible – Jesus – teaches salvation by faith in Him alone. Salvation by grace. “Jesus paid it all” – So – what do we do with this passage?
Scissors? Ignore it? Maybe it comes from somebody’s addition to Paul’s writings.
No, when we take it in context, and in view of the whole Bible, Paul is giving us a very good picture of the Biblical Doctrine of Sanctification.
Doctrine – I hate to study doctrine you say. Doctrine simply means teaching. We are going to study briefly the Biblical teaching or instruction on the topic of Sanctification.
Sanctification? Sanctification is the process of setting apart or the state of being set apart – for God and from the world.
Before we start, let me take a side road for a moment, if I may. Look at verse 16 – “Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.” Paul’s pastoral heart shows here.
He shows us that Pastors preach and teach, not to make friends or enemies, not to hurt, but out of love and care. Notice that a pastor’s joy is wrapped up in his people. A true Pastor is not doing it for financial reward, nor for status or gain. He does it because those he is called to shepherd “hold out the word of life.”
Paul to Corinth stated – “So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well” And in Hebrews 13:17 we read, “They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you”
Take time today to pray for your Pastor, and in some way let him know what they mean to you and your family.
Tomorrow we will get back to the main issue and look at Sanctification.
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