Bible, Faith, Journey, Obedience, Scripture

WORK IT OUT

PHILIPPIANS 2:12

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”

You may have heard the joke about the person who was caught in rising waters from a flood. As the waters rose, a guy came by in a 4×4 truck and offered to rescue him, but he said he would trust God to rescue him. The waters continued to rise and now a man came by in a boat. Still the man said he would trust in God. Finally, as he was perched on his rooftop, a helicopter came by and lowered a rope, but the man was adamant that he would trust God for his rescue. Unfortunately, the man died. When he gets to heaven he asked the Lord, “Why didn’t you rescue me?” The Lord replied, “I sent you a truck, a boat and a helicopter. You just had to get in.”

Today’s verse is like that. God has sent us the means of salvation – Jesus Christ. But we still have to “get in.” We have to choose to accept this free gift and to do our part in growing in our new faith. God will not spoon feed you. He expects you to go to the Word and feed yourself. That doesn’t mean you will have all the answers. But you have to make the effort to grow. The Topical Lexicon says, “believers are exhorted to ‘work out’ their salvation with fear and trembling. This usage highlights the responsibility of Christians to actively engage in their spiritual growth and maturity, relying on God’s enabling power.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated “work out” is katergazomai which is also used in Ephesians 6:13 where it says, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Here it is translated “having done.” This verb is a Middle Voice verb which means you do this. It is not done to you. You must “work out” or do this.

The same word is used in James 1:3 where James says your “faith produces endurance.” There’s an action to it. You’re not like that man in the flood just waiting. Our faith requires action. James said it best when he said that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). As you “work out” your faith, your faith grows. God gives you more and more faith as you partner with Him in your spiritual growth.

Too many Christians come to Christ for fire insurance. They just want a “get out of hell free card.” That is not what the Christian life is about. It’s a journey. It’s a process. It doesn’t start and end with your conversion. That is just the beginning. I have been a believer for almost 48 years now and I am still growing. I will not “arrive” until I breath my last. Are you working out today?

Thank You, Father, for giving me the tools to spur my growth and teach me more and more about You.

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Bible, Confession, God's Will, Praise, Prayer, Scripture

CONFESSION IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

PHILIPPIANS 2:11

“and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

They say confession is good for the soul. What do you think? I try to stay “confessed up” about my sins. Every morning as I begin my prayer time I confess any known sins in my life. I confess any wrong words or deeds. I confess any wrong or impure thought. I ask forgiveness for anything I may have done that is not pleasing to the Lord. Only then do I begin my prayers for others. I want the slate clean.

The Greek word used by Paul for “confess” is a compound word. It’s “eksomologéō (from ek, ‘wholly out from,’ intensifying homologéō, ‘say the same thing about’) – properly, fully agree and to acknowledge that agreement openly (whole-heartedly); hence, to confess (“openly declare”), without reservation (no holding back).” (HELPS Word Studies). Did you catch that? It means to FULLY agree with God.

APPLICATION

Interestingly, this word can also be translated as “praise.” It is used that way in Luke 10:21 when Jesus is talking to His Father and says, “‘I praise You, O Father.’” Jesus always agreed fully with His Father. He said as much when He said that He only spoke the words His Father gave Him. John 12:49-50 says, “49 ‘For I did not speak on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.’”

Wouldn’t it be wise for us to do the same? Our sins are known to the Father. He knows all and sees all. So, just agree with Him about your sins and confess them. Agreeing with God is not so hard. It does take humility and recognizing that He is God and you’re not. Right?

The same word is used in James 5:16 where we are told to “confess your sins to one another.” Now, that is hard. Be careful to whom you confess, though. They should be a trusted brother or sister in Christ and have your best interest at heart. Confession to another is an act of accountability and we all need that. So, today get all “confessed up.”

I confess to You today, O Lord, all my sins and transgressions against You and others. Please forgive me.

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Allegiance, Bible, Bowing, Jesus, Kneeling, Scripture, Worship

KNEELING

PHILIPPIANS 2:10

“so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”

I’m at the age now when I kneel down to get something, I pause to see if I need to do anything else while I’m down there. Lol. Can you relate? Kneeling gets harder with age. Our bones crack and moan more. Our backs strain getting back up. Now, I’m not in awful shape physically, but I definitely feel my age more these days. Maybe helping watch my ten-month-old grandson has something to do with it. You think?

Paul makes a declaration in today’s verse which is directly from the mouth of God. He says that one day, “every knee will bow.” And when he says “every” he means EVERY. He covers them all – in heaven, on earth and under the earth. Everyone will bow before the only true and holy Savior, Jesus Christ. He is Lord! John says something similar in his vision statement in Revelation 5:13. “And I heard every created thing which is in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, or on the sea, and all the things in them, saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion forever and ever.’”

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “will bow” is kamptó which “primarily means to bend or bow, often used in the context of bowing the knee as an act of submission, worship, or reverence. It conveys the physical act of bending as well as the metaphorical act of showing humility or deference.” (Strong’s Lexicon). It is only used three other times (Romans 11:4. 14:11; Ephesians 3:14).

In Romans 11:4 Paul writes about the story of Elijah when he was complaining to God and was told by God that He had kept 7,000 men in Israel who had not bowed to Baal. In other words, their allegiance was to Jehovah and bowed only to Him. Later in Romans 14:11 Paul is quoting God from Isaiah 45:23 which says, “‘I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.’”

Finally, as Paul begins his prayer in Ephesians 3:14, he writes, “For this reason I bend my knees before the Father,” You see, Paul knew there was only one God and to Him only would he bow. Paul would bow to no man. Kind of reminds you of three youth who got thrown into a furnace for refusing to bow to an earthly king, doesn’t it?  Today, bow your knee, bow your heart, kneel and pray and lift up the name of Jesus.

O Lord, I will bow before You and praise Your holy name.

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Bible, Jesus, Names, Prayer, Scripture

NAME ABOVE ALL

PHILIPPIANS 2:9

For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

Some people think they are something just because of their name. There are a lot of famous people who are known by name worldwide. There’s Gandhi, Hitler, Trump, just to name a few. They are so famous only one name is required. I don’t want to be that famous. It would spoil my trips to Waffle House, lol.

There is one other name, however, that is known worldwide – Jesus. This name transcends cultures, ages and even languages. Paul says it was God who bestowed or gave this name to Him. In Luke 1:31 we read what the angel told Mary, “‘And behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.’”

APPLICATION

Now, Jesus is known by many names – Christ, Lord, Immanuel, Lamb of God, Son of God, Son of Man, The Word, Savior, Redeemer, Light of the world. It doesn’t really matter which name you choose; He will answer to them all. He listens as you call on one of His many names. So, don’t hesitate to call Him by name.

To call someone by name means you know that person and that you have some kind of relationship. When I was working with children, I made it a point to learn the children’s names. I would often get down on my knees when I talked to them to be on their level. I wanted to look them in the eyes when I called their name (which I would try to repeat a few times to get it nailed down). We need to look Jesus squarely in the eyes when we call His name.

There is something intimate about using a person’s name. It’s much better than saying, “Hey, you” or “Hey, bud.” So, today when you pray, use the name above all names – Jesus. Look Him in the eyes (spiritually) and talk to Him. He is always listening, but I believe when we call His name, He turns His head towards us and listens intently. He is our Great Intercessor!

Father, You are so good to us and give us that name on which to call. And I thank You that You know my name intimately.

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Bible, Death, Obedience, Sacrifice, Scripture

TO THE POINT OF DEATH

PHILIPPIANS 2:8

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”

Every day, Christians around the world face the danger of death by radicals just for believing in Jesus Christ. Nigeria is ground zero, it seems, for this fierce blood thirsty gang. I have heard that these radicals believe if they can take Nigeria, all of northern Africa will fall to Islam. We should pray daily for saints around the world who are literally fleeing for their lives.

On the other hand, Jesus came with one purpose – to die for us. Today’s verse points that out clearly. Paul writes that Jesus was “obedient to the point of death.” Albert Barnes explains this phrase with an analogy of a soldier. “…the soldier, when he is morally certain that to obey will be followed by death. Thus, many a company or platoon has been ordered into the ‘deadly breach, or directed to storm a redoubt, or to scale a wall, or to face a cannon, when it was morally certain that death would be the consequence. No profounder spirit of obedience can be evinced than this. It should be said, however, that the obedience of the soldier is in many cases scarcely voluntary, since, if he did not obey, death would be the penalty. But, in the case of the Redeemer, it was wholly voluntary. He placed himself in the condition of a servant to do the will of God, and then never shrank from what that condition involved.”

APPLICATION

I know what you’re thinking. Carl, I will never be called on to give my life for Jesus. That just happens somewhere else. Don’t be so certain. What if you faced that decision? What would you do? It is better to be prepared now. I heard a story of a store clerk who was held up at gun point when the thief asked for all the money. The clerk held up his hands and shouted, “Sudden death, Sudden glory!” The thief was so rattled, he ran from the store. Years later, these two met again and the thief had given his life to Christ.

For believers, death is simply a portal to our eternal reward. It is not something to be feared. Now, how you die may be of some concern. For instance, I don’t want to get eaten by a bear, lol. But I am ready. I am at peace with death whenever it comes.

I think Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57. “54 But when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: ‘DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR VICTORY? WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR STING?’ 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen!

Father, prepare me to face any evil that comes my way by spurning the fear of death.

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Bible, Empty, Humility, Pride, Sacrifice, Scripture, Self-righteousness

EMPTY YOURSELF

PHILIPPIANS 2:7

“but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.”

Emptying ourselves of our pride and arrogance can be a challenge. When you think you are something, you are really nothing. Selfish conceit is just as bad as seeing yourself as unworthy. We are supposed to love ourselves, just not enough to place ourselves above others. Paul continues his theme of humility and the example of Christ in today’s verse.

The Greek word used by Paul here which is translated “emptied” is kenoo which “primarily means ‘to empty’ or ‘to make void.’ In the New Testament, it is often used metaphorically to describe the act of making something of no effect or rendering it powerless. It can also imply the act of divesting oneself of status or privilege.” (Strong’s Lexicon) Christ divested Himself of His status and privilege to serve mankind.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you this – what do you need to empty yourself of? Hmmm? Nothing? Come on! Really? We all have things of which we need to empty ourselves. Kenoo is one of those Greek words ending in -oo which means the emphasis is not on the action of the verb but rather the result of the action of the verb. The result of Christ’s emptying Himself was to die for our sins. Wow!

So, what would be the result of us emptying ourselves? Better relationships? Better marriages? Better workplaces? The list could go on and on. Maybe your relationship kryptonite (for all you Superman fans out there) is pride or selfishness. Maybe it’s vanity or greed. Ask yourself if there is anything about you that is raised above Christ. Then die to it.

Paul says Christ emptied Himself and became a bondservant. That is a willing servant, someone who attaches themselves to a master knowingly. Christ served mankind willingly by making the ultimate sacrifice. How about you?

Lord, help me identify and stomp out anything in me that I have put in a position above You.

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Authority, Bible, Equality, Robbery, Scripture

DON’T JUST GRAB STUFF

PHILIPPIANS 2:6

“who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,”

In the Massai culture, if something is lying around not being used, they are free to pick it up and use it. A friend of mine served in Southern Kenya among the Massai and experienced this firsthand. He had laid his jacket on a chair outside his house while he was working only to discover it missing later. A few days later he saw his jacket on one of his Massai friends. He asked him about it and was told that since he wasn’t using it, he felt he could just pick it up and wear it. After all, he needed a jacket. Lol

This verse today contains a word that you normally would not associate with Jesus. “Something to be grasped” is translated in some versions as “robbery.” The Greek word in the noun form only occurs here. The verb form is used elsewhere. But here, this word really points to the thing being robbed, not the act of robbery. Let’s look at what Jesus did.

APPLICATION

Paul is continuing the thought of Christ’s humble attitude to which we should aspire. Christ was God. There is no question about that. He knew that and could have at any time exercised His authority. He chose to give up that while in this human form, but it was still His. He repeatedly told His disciples that He and the Father were one, did He not?

Okay, okay! We are not God. That’s a fact. However, we can choose to not grab or seize things out of respect for others and to show our own humility. Paul has been telling the Philippians to consider others before themselves, right? Jesus is our example for that. What do you need to lay down today out of respect for someone? Are you trying to seize power or authority that you could have at the expense of others?

Humility is hard. You’ve heard the song that says, “O Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” A lot of us live that way. We equate humility with weakness which it is not. Humility takes a lot more strength than bullying. Don’t believe me? Give it a try and let me know how easy it was. But Jesus tells us to do this very thing. Stop grabbing and start releasing.

Thank You, Lord, for the power You give me through humility.

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Attitude, Bible, Jesus, Mind, Scripture

THE MIND OF CHRIST

PHILIPPIANS 2:5

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”

We learn a lot by watching others, don’t we? We have all seen the little boys or girls following their dads around with their little toy lawnmowers as he mows the lawn. They are modeling his behavior. Wouldn’t it be great if we could model the right attitude for our children or grandchildren? If we want to raise godly children, we must live godly. We must model the behaviors and attitudes we want them to live by.

In Philippians 2:5-8, we have a passage which many people have memorized and tried to live by. Ellicott calls this “The Voluntary Humiliation of the Lord.” MacLaren titles it “The Descent of the Word.” Over the next few days, we will dissect this passage and see what the Lord has to say about us having His mind as we live out our lives following Him.

APPLICATION

Sounds simple, huh? “Have this attitude”! But then Paul says, “which was also in Christ Jesus.” Come on Paul! Who can do that? We aren’t Jesus. We can’t think like Him. We can’t be as humble as He was. Yet, I am reminded of John 14:12 which says, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.”

What?! Greater things than Him?! That’s what He said, and if He said it, I believe it. That means that I can have the same attitude He had. What was His attitude? Meekness, humility, service, obedience… Shall I go on? To be like Jesus is to think like Jesus. The popular bracelet from years past – WWJD – would be a great reminder for us. Before we do anything, think like Jesus and then do what He would do.

Are you prepared to do that? Are you willing to exchange your way of thinking for Jesus’ way? It’s possible through the transformation of your mind (Romans 12:1-2). Are you willing? Will you let go of your past concepts of how to live and allow Jesus to transform your mind into His mind? Oh, how wonderful that would be for us all.

Lord, give me the mind of Christ in all things.

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Bible, Interests, Ministry, Needs, Others, Prayer, Scripture

THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS

PHILIPPIANS 2:4

“do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

As I am writing this devotion this morning, my across the street neighbor is having some type of medical emergency. I have only talked to him a few times as he just moved in a while ago. However, I know he is a believer. We have talked about that. So, as I watch the EMTs go into his house, I am lifting a prayer for him. Today’s verse really hit home this morning.

Paul continues his thought from the previous few verses in today’s verse. He is saying that it is not just about us. We need to keep the needs of others before our own. I read this description of this thought. “To ‘look upon’ here is something more than ‘to seek.’ It expresses that insight into the thoughts, hopes, aspirations of others, which only a self-forgetting love can give, as well as the care to consider their welfare and happiness.” (Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers) Do you have that “self-forgetting” love for others?

APPLICATION

This interest in others does not give us license to interfere. Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 3:11 warn us about that. “For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.” See also 1 Timothy 5:13 and 1 Peter 4:15. Hmmm, I’ve known a few of those, haven’t you? Don’t be like that.

Instead of meddling in other people’s affairs, show genuine concern and love for them. How is that done? First of all, pray for others. Ask them how you can pray for them and then do it. Pray right there for them. Nothing softens the heart like prayer. And if that prayer needs some “feet” to it, do what you can to meet that need.

Back to my neighbor – the ambulance just drove off. I did not run over while the EMTs were there as that would have been meddling. I will go over later today and find out how I can pray. Perhaps I can go to the hospital and check on him. Putting feet to prayers is a good thing. Whatever you do, be genuine. Show Christ’s love to others in the same way He would have.

Lord, give me Your compassion and love for others and show me how to meet their needs if appropriate.

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Bible, Humility, Jesus, Joy, Ministry, Scripture

J-0-Y (Jesus first, Others second, Yourself third)

PHILIPPIANS 2:3

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;”

Putting others before yourself is not a normal behavior for most people. The world tells us to “get all we can, can all we get, sit on the can and poison the rest.” Right? We are told to put yourself first, to watch out for numero uno. Many times, those who climb the ladder of success do it on the backs of others. How can we do as Paul instructs us today and “consider one another as more important” than ourselves?

The key to putting others first is found in the word “humility.” Without that, it is impossible to put others before us. Without humility, we see the world as ours for the taking, no matter who we hurt. Today’s verse is one of those “but” statements. Paul says don’t be selfish or conceited, BUT with humility. You can’t be selfish or conceited and be humble at the same time. It’s just not possible. So, Paul tells us to make a choice. It’s one way or the other. Which will you choose?

APPLICATION

“Humility” is the Greek word tapeinophrosune. It “refers to a mindset characterized by humility and modesty. It is the quality of having a humble opinion of oneself, a deep sense of one’s moral littleness, and a modest view of one’s importance.” (Strong’s Lexicon). This was counterculture back in the Greco Roman world, just as it is today. We see this word used in 1 Peter 5:5. “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT HE GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

Paul tells us to “consider…more important.” The Greek word for “consider” is the same word used in James 1:2 when James says, “Consider it all joy…” It can have the definition of “lead the way.” Paul wants us to lead the way in putting others before us.

Finally, let me point out that he says, “more important.” The same Greek word is used by Paul later in Philippians when he says in 4:7 that the peace of God, “which surpasses all understanding.” What we think of others and how we treat others should surpass what we think of ourselves. That’s hard to do. No, it’s impossible to do without humility. Dwell on that today.

Father God, let me see others as You see them, then I will have no problem putting them before me.

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