seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
This is from the commentary.Your own salvation: This tells us to give attention to our own salvation. Sometimes we show great concern for the work of God in others, and not enough for His work in us. We should care about the souls of others, but this care must begin with our own soul.
With fear and trembling: Paul's idea was not that we should live our Christian lives with a constant sense of fear and terror, but that we should live with a fear of failing to work out your own salvation.
We work out our salvation with fear and trembling; but it doesn't have to be the fear of hell or damnation. It may instead be the righteous and awe-filled reverence of God every believer should have. It doesn't have to be the trembling of a guilty sinner; it should instead be the joyful trembling of an encounter with the glory of God.
Have you ever taken a flight on a commercial airline? Did you listen to what the stewardess instructed at the beginning of the trip? When talking about the mask, that will fall from the ceiling in the event of a problem, the stewardess says, "put your mask on first". That's what came to mind this morning when I read the verses. Put your mask on first so you can breathe while helping the person next to you. While I was volunteering back in Lusby, I took CERT [Community Emergency Response Training] Training. The first thing they taught us was, check yourself out first before you go helping the others. Then take care of your family.... then you can go out into the neighborhood and help others.
I've spent a lot of time in the pew taking care of myself. I was learning from people [mostly men] who were willing to tell me what the Bible says. I've done it for most of my life. Lately, however, I've seen the need for me to get into the Bible and study it for myself. Baptists believe that the Spirit will help us interpret the Word correctly. When I got into the Word for myself a few years ago, I found that some of those people [mostly men] have been giving me "their version" of what the Word says. So, I had to go back and discern .... and that, since I am working way above my paygrade.... what is truth in what I was taught and what was "their version" of the truth.
It's scary when you realize the preacher was wrong... or the preacher was a liar. Something was going on in the church way, way, way, back in history.... I found this in the commentary....
"Dispute not with God; let him do what seemeth him good. Dispute not with your fellow Christians, raise not railing accusations against them. When Calvin was told that Luther had spoken ill of him, he said, 'Let Luther call me devil if he please, I will never say of him but that he is a most dear and valiant servant of the Lord.' Raise not intricate and knotty points by way of controversy." (Spurgeon)
Learn from someone who has actually learned the Word.... not someone trying to please his mom. Humans have become really good at making lies seem true. The way a teacher wears his collar has nothing to do with whether he has actually "read" the Gospel. Sometimes in an effort to be loved, humans take short cuts. Stop grumbling because others can't figure out what's right and wrong.
Get your own house in order first.
Put your mask on first!
