Read Philippians 2:12-13 NIV
Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
What does it mean to you to work out your salvation with fear and trembling?
What is the meaning of fear and trembling in the context of this passage?
In what ways do you obey the Lord instructions to you in a crowd of believers versus unbelievers?
Is it up to you alone to work out your salvation or is it up to the LORD and your cooperation to obey Him to accomplish his good purpose? Why?
What are some other scripture references that talk about the relationship between salvation and our obedience to the Lord?
Now read, Philippians 2:14-18 New American Standard Bible
Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
List the commands given in the Philippians 2:14-18.
What does the phrase “above reproach” mean in this passage?
In your own words, describe what is meant by holding fast to the word of life.
What are the scripture references for the drink offering and what is the drink offering that is poured upon a sacrifice in each case?
How are you living your life as a sacrifice to the Lord and are you doing it in the service of another’s faith?
Now reflect on this:
Paul, the writer of Philippians, is in prison for proclaiming the good news. He is willing to die for the sake of all those that would believe in the good news, even us today. Freedom has a price and very high price at that. Many have died to bring the good news to dying world. Are your friends, family and the rest of the world in need of this freedom and are you willing to hold fast to the word of life and bring others into this freedom. Freedom will cost you, your pride, ambition and could even mean your physical life in this earth. To this Paul says, even if I die, still I rejoice, Christ is proclaimed, shares his joy with the rest of the believers. Now you too, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. Paul is in prison and he is rejoicing. How much more should we do the same?
Think! Reflect! Seek the LORD!
Living Fountain 