PRESSING FORWARD

Today we look in chapter 2 picking up in verse 12:

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but how much more in my absence work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.

Lets really look at these two verses and see what God is saying to us. First of all what it is not saying, 

1. It is not saying salvation is by works

2. Nor are we to be afraid of God.

I like how Paul words the first part that they always obeyed and not just when he was around. What did they obey?

According to Acts 2:42 they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine. True and sound doctrine, teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, lived a sinless life, went to the cross to satisfy the wrath of God for sin and reconcile man with God, that on the third day He rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for His bride, teaches He is the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the Father but by Him, and just as He left He is coming again. This is doctrinal truth of what the church is founded on, that Jesus Christ is both the head of the church and the Chief Cornerstone. From this we are to have sound teaching that keeps us aligned with who Jesus is, who God the Father is and who the Holy Spirit is.

I like how Paul says they obeyed even in his absence. Some people are great people pleasers, they have an appearance of worship and are right there with the Amen yet it is only when certain pastors and teachers are around. In reality they are not genuine and act one way in church service and another way when they leave. As followers of Christ we are to wholly follow Christ everywhere we go and with whoever we are around. We can not wear Jesus at church and put Him in the closet when we go to work, go for recreation, go shopping or go to vote., Jesus Christ should be with us always in all things, we should be allowing the Holy Spirit within us to guide us in our words and our actions.

Work out our own salvation ; if it is not salvation by works then what is it? Lets look at a few more verses in Philippians to help us see this.

Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching toward those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

PRESS: to advance forward vigorously, to apply pressure.

Paul begins to say that though he ( and we) has not reached the place he pressing forward for, he continues moving forward forgetting the past and reaching forward to those things that are ahead. This growing with Christ, called sanctification, it not allowing our past dictate our present nor allow us not to move forward to what Jesus has for us. Allowing ourselves to regret the past, or hold on to what use to be will hinder our walk with Jesus. This walk is working out our own salvation