Meditations from the Book of Philippians part 5 – Week 28 / July 8th

by admin

Fear and Trembling – Philippians 2:12-18

Paul’s Challenge
Being a Christ follower means living like Christ. (1John 2:6) God is not mocked and will not bless or approve of “sloppy Christians”; especially since He has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness in Christ. (2Peter 1:3) It is for this reason that we are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling!” To be honest we need a lot more “fear and trembling” in the Church today. I have a feeling that a rude awakening is in store for many a person claiming to be Christian.

So, we should fear and tremble because:
1. God is working in us by Christ Jesus…..and
2. God is bringing us into His will and to a place that pleases Him. We should make pleasing God our main ambition and desire. It certainly was for the Apostle Paul. (2Corinthians 5: 9-11)

In the light of this we should therefore “copy’ Jesus and stop complaining and stop being critical of and difficult with, people in fellowship with us. This constitutes a defeat for us since it wholly contradicts the God desired work in us and demonstrates that we are still given to carnality.

Rather we should be:
1. Examples of godly living in a wicked world.
2. Beacons of light to the lost…….and,
3. People of regular devotion. That is, literally living in and holding fast to the Word of God.

For Paul this will make his ministry worthwhile and fill him with much joy since he has paid a great price for the blessing of God’s people and thus to learn that his “flock” are true followers of Jesus fills him with thankfulness to God. His trials, persecutions and imprisonments become “a light affliction.” It would be good for us all to likewise remember that godly men and women have served our lives with the love and grace of God. We need to honor them and thank God for their sacrifice. We have been enriched by their commitment and dedication to Jesus. Why not write to them and thank them or just pick up the telephone and tell them how much you appreciate them? Imagine how this will fill them with joy!

So let’s become what Jesus wants us to be and let’s stop fooling around and get a little more serious about being followers of Jesus. The time is short and the Day of His appearing is at hand and we should be about our Lord’s work (1Peter 4:7-10)

Most of all we should cultivate a healthy fear of God and meditate a little more intensely upon our great salvation. This may help us to tremble a little more than we do and it would rejoice the heart of Jesus.

Will you pick up Paul’s challenge?

Malcolm Hedding.

©Malcolm Hedding Ministries

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