Week 13: Philippians 2:12-13

Philippians 2:12,13:  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure.

1. We start with a therefore.  Rule of thumb, when you read "therefore," ask yourself "what's it there for?"  Typically, it's a culminating thought of the previous passage, leading up to something concluding and transitory.  In this case, Paul is urging the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.  Sadly, I think many people fail to do this today.  We each must work out our own salvation.  This means that if we're relying on the faith of our parents, or the company of church-goers, or even our own half-convinced minds, then we're missing the point.  Salvation is much more than just an act, though many would cry otherwise.  Salvation is a way of life, allowing the redemptive blood of Jesus to permeate and work through us each and every moment.
   
   I think this also implies that we're all responsible for coming to terms with our own salvation.  For me, that came while I was in college.  I understood what it meant to be independent, and I independently sought out Jesus.  How does one work out their salvation, though?  With fear and trembling.  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7), and time and time again throughout scripture we're shown instances of people fearing God.  This is respectful fear, yes, but it's much more.  It's an understanding fear, knowing that God is sovereign, omnipotent, and all-knowing, and that He can do what He wishes.  If men fell before angels terrified and trembling, how much more so will we before the Creator?  And yet, it's a loving fear, for God loves us so much, and those that are in His hands should take comfort in that. 
2. it is God who works in you.  How awesome it is that we have the Holy Spirit within us, working in according to God's plan!  This is foundational and freeing, for we have God Himself dwelling in us and working for His good pleasure.  While all our acts are not necessarily pleasing to God, in the Great Plan, they all give God glory, which gives Him pleasure.

As I mentioned last week, this section of Philippians has been excellent for memorization.  It seems like a lot of verses, but it's not difficult in the least.  I strongly urge you all to commit these verses, 5-13,  to memory and dwell on the mystery of God's love.

Week 12: Philippians 2:10-11

Philippians 2:10,11: so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1. Continuing with last week's passage, these two verses launch straight into the heart of everything.  Jesus the Christ the Son is exalted up so high that every knee should--and will--bow.  This encompasses the full meaning of the word every.  All of the angels in heaven.  All of the demons in hell.  Every man, woman, and child.  Possibly (and probable, I'd guess) even the animals with knees, too.  Every single thing will bow down to Jesus to give Him honor and praise.
1. This makes me wonder why so many people put off praising the Son.  Denial, I suppose.  Unbelief.
2. Not only will we all bow down to the Christ, but we'll all confess that He is Lord.  What does this mean?  It means that whether or not one believed on earth is nullified, because all will believe (and realize) that He is Lord.  As Lord, He reigns.
3. All of this action points glory back to the Father.  This relationship between the two is hard to understand, how they both point glory and exaltation to one another.  I simply acknowledge that both are worthy of praise (and the Spirit, too) and that's enough for me.

These verses, 5-11, are beautiful verses that point to the glory of God through the Son.  This has been one of my favorite passages so far.  The conclusion comes next week with a "Therefore..."

Week 11: Philippians 2:8-9

Philippians 2:8,9: And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

1. Don't you just love how this passage abruptly ends at a climax?  Most of us know what's coming (and indeed, it's next week's section of memorization), but the Fighter Verse program chooses to cut off this week at verse 9.  How... peculiar.
2. Building on last week's sections, we now turn to Jesus being human.  He gave up his Godhood for a while to become 100% Man.  As I mentioned last week, this was an enormous act of humility, and now verse 8 points out truly how humble Jesus became, insomuch that he willingly died.  Not only was His obedience to the point of death, but it was death on a cross.  This put Jesus in the curse of God (see Deut 21:23), though He was blameless and without sin.
1. I marvel at His love for us.  He is an amazing God.
3. God has highly exalted him.  Because of Jesus' obedience and sacrifice--voluntary actions born of love--God has highly exalted him.  Jesus, in turn, takes this honor and glorifies the Father.  This is somewhat a confusing relationship, since Jesus is part of the Trinity, and thus God and part of our worship.  Even so, Jesus takes this exaltation and points it to the Father.
4. and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.  Is this simply the name "Jesus," or is it something new that we will not know until we're in heaven?  I suppose it could be both, but I'm unsure.

This passage is exciting and awesome and wonderful and it just makes me want to post up next week's now, but I shall restrain myself.  If you can't wait, though, go on and read verses 10 and 11 and praise God when you're finished.

Week 10: Philippians 2:5-7

Philippians 2:5-7:  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

1. This is one of those great verses that reiterates the fact that Jesus gave up his Godness to become fully man.  Yes, he was still 100% God, but he did not utilize that.  He did not even count equality with God a thing to be grasped.  Instead, Jesus became "nothing" by taking the form of a servant, one born of Man.  He suffered and loved everyone, counting himself lowly so God would be glorified.
1. This passage again serves to remind us of how we should act if we are trying to be Christ-like.  Jesus was the ultimate servant and his humbleness is amazing.  We're expected to live with a humble attitude if we're going to be like the Savior.  This whole passage points to Jesus' humility (as do the next two memory verses), and we should keep this lifestyle in mind always.

Being humble is something many of us have problems with.  It goes completely against ourselves.  Too often we're willing to help others or be humble, but we have limits to how "low" we'll go.  Jesus had no limits.  He loved everyone, and took the ultimate shame by dying on the cross.  It's also interesting to see the dichotomy between Jesus and Satan here.  The devil is proud and exalts himself, while Jesus is humble and points all glory back to the Father.