Help for Our Spiritual Journey
“So then, my beloved (Believers), just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12
If you were wondering why I have not written these past few months, it is because Lori and I purchased a home. The logistics of moving, doing repairs, hiring contractors for electrical, plumbing and painting has been exciting, but very time consuming. While packing belongings, furnishings and all the kitchen, dining room etc. along with the task of choosing the furniture to move, you get rid of what you haven’t used for some time, you pack what you know or hope you will use and pray it all fits. We moved in stages and are almost settled, but we are glad to be in our new home.
Last week, I started to look at Philippians Chapter 2 to seek to understand the instructions Paul was giving to the believers concerning their spiritual development. He had been away from them and was probably writing from jail, unlikely ever to return to them. In this letter to the church, we see that from the start, Paul is encouraging the believers in Phillipi. He writes that he “is confident of this very thing that He who began a good work in them will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 So just as Paul gives encouragement to them, we can take that same encouragement to help with our spiritual journey.
In verse 12 of Chapter 2, Paul gives us a very powerful reminder that we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” Paul is making sure that we focus on what it will take as we seek the Lord’s help in our spiritual journey. But what is this fear and trembling? God certainly does not want us to always be anxious and timid as we proclaim the changes in our life that are being made from our faith in Christ.
In Proverbs (9:10, 15:33, 1:7, 14:26) we read that fear of the Lord brings us wisdom, knowledge and even confidence. Also, in Psalm 112:1, “blessed in the man and woman who fear the Lord.” This fear is not for us to be scared of God, but to realize and respect God, to obey God’s authority and acknowledge His deity. We are to know God loves us but we must respect and seek the help of our Lord daily.
Also, as we seek salvation, we are to realize in this pursuit that we will be in awe of God. So our disobedience should and will bring some trembling as we are aware we have done wrong and we hurt God when we disobey. God wants us to learn from the Word in order to transform our hearts and minds with the help of the Holy Spirit as we shed the old-self for the new along the way.
We will continue in Philippians Chapter 2 next week.
A couple of songs….. One for this https://youtu.be/yvoPAQwBw9Y
and one to give us help in the chaos and evil that trying to take our joy and peace. https://youtu.be/_09jF1yK4z4
Make sure you click the X to SKIP any ads before the music is played!