Work Out What God Works In

Beloved, I had just set before you the mind of Christ — how he humbled himself, obedient unto death, and how God highly exalted him (2:6-11). Now comes the "therefore." Because he stooped so low and was lifted so high, I write: "as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (2:12). I am not calling you to earn what Christ has already purchased. You cannot buy what is a gift. I am calling you to labor at living out the salvation that is yours — to bring it up into every corner of your days, with reverence, knowing whose you are.

And lest that word "work" crush you, hear what I set right beside it: "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (2:13). This is the wonder — the very willing and the very doing are his gift in you. His working does not make your working needless; it makes it possible. You strive because he is striving in you. Rest in that, and then rise and labor.

What does it look like on the ground? Small things, harder than they sound: "Do all things without grumbling or disputing" (2:14). A quarrelsome, complaining heart is not a little thing; it is the old darkness leaking back in. But when you refuse it, you become "children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life" (2:15-16). You do not shine by arguing the dark into submission. You shine by holding fast to Christ, the word of life, while grumblers grumble — and the difference is seen.

Then I opened my own heart: "even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all" (2:17). I write this in chains, and I mean it. If my life is spilled out to serve your faith, I count it joy. Do not pity me — rejoice with me (2:18). This is the mind of Christ come down into a man: to be spent gladly for others.

So today, in whatever grinds you or tempts you to complain, remember both halves of the one truth. Work — really work, with fear and trembling. And know it is God at work in you. Hold fast to the word of life, and shine. Grace and peace to you.