| Philippians 2 Previous Chapter | Next Chapter 1 If therefore there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercies, 2 Fulfil my joy, by being of the same purpose, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain conceit; but in lowliness of mind let each one esteem the other better than themselves. 4 Let every man look not only to his own interest, but also to the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; [From the Word of the Lord within: "Grow up into the mind of Christ, from which all good thoughts proceed. Your thoughts are not my thoughts. At best your thoughts are a vain hiss. Those who follow their own brain will weep and mourn; there will be great pain. The mind is a terrible thing. We labor with a cursed mind for the carnal mind is neither subject to the law of God, nor can it be; that which is in the enmity must die. You must go on waiting, watching, and listening; then our hearts will be quiet by grace. Keep seeking peace. Great will be your peace if you continue faithfully. You will receive a new heart and mind."] 6 Who, though He was one with God and in the form of God, did not think this equality with God was something to be retained [held fast]; 7 But made himself nothing, and took upon himself the nature of a slave, and became like men, born a human being. 8 And after appearing in the likeness of man, he humbled himself further, and carried his obedience to death, even the death of the cross! 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above every name; 10 So that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [To "confess" that Jesus Christ is Lord, means that everyone makes him Lord of their life — their controlling spirit within them — in love, peace, and joy. From the Word of the Lord within: "Every tongue will witness Jesus Christ as Lord. He will rule every man."] 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.1 [From the Word of the Lord within: "Salvation is to be delivered from sin. Salvation is being freed from even the desire of your sins." In His messages to the seven churches, Jesus mentions to every church, (all seven), how their works are key. Jesus said, I have not found your works perfect before God. Rev 3:2-3. Jesus wants perfect works.] 13 For it is God who brings forth in you, both the will (to work) and the works (as commanded), according to his good pleasure. [A true Christian is crucified and purified by the grace of God, able to do God's will on earth as it is done in heaven; that is a true Christian's sole purpose: to pray, to speak, and to act as God directs, thus to bring pleasure, honor, and glory to God.] 14 Do all things without grumbling and disputing; 15 So that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding fast [treasuring] the word of life; so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and even if my life is poured out as a sacrifice and service to your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 So all of you, rejoice with me also for the same reason. 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly so that I may be comforted when I know your state. 20 For I have no man so like-minded, who will genuinely care for your welfare. 21 For everyone seeks after their own interests, not the things that are Jesus Christ's. 22 But you know the proven worth of him, that, like a son with his father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I therefore hope to send him presently, as soon as I see how it will go with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself will also come shortly. 25 Yet I consider it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labor and fellow soldier, who is your messenger and has ministered to my needs. 26 For he longs for you all, and was full of heaviness because you had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick near to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I send him all the more eagerly, so that when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such men in high regard; 30 Because he was near death for the work of Christ, not regarding his life, to complete your service toward me. Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | |||||||||
1 Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. So salvation and believing are not the same. Notice in the next verses, Paul pleads with them to be blameless and harmless, so Paul will not have labored in vain over them.
Paul further shows that believing and salvation do not occur simultaneously in his letters to believers in the churches.
And Peter echoes the same message that salvation is not just believing or faith, rather salvation is the end of faith's obedient journey and requires growth:
Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In that greatly rejoice though it is necessary to suffer a few griefs through various trials,
so that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes,
though it is tried with fire, might result in praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; though you do not see him now,
but believe in him, you rejoice with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,
Receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls. 1 Pet 1:5-9
As newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word, so that you may grow up to salvation, 1 Pet 2:2
Simon the magician believed and was baptized. He tried to buy the power of laying on of hands. Acts 8:13-18.
Peter said to him, "Repent therefore of your wickedness, and pray to God that perhaps you may be forgiven for your heart's thought. For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity." Acts 8:22-23. Obviously Simon had not been "saved" by believing or baptism.
Jesus told five out of seven churches of believers in Revelation that they were lost, on the way to destruction. The Smyrna believers were about to enter tribulation, whom he encouraged. Only the church of Philadelphia was doing well because they had kept [obeyed] his word with patient endurance. Notice again! Jesus said that five out seven Christian churches of believers were on their way to Hell. Massive error had already taken hold 2000 years ago, until today the false church is pervasive with grace supposedly being a license to continue to sin.
The work is carrying the inward cross of self-denial over time. To seek, listen, hear, and obey - is part of the cross.
Salvation is the end of the crucifixion of the selfish spirit on the inward cross of self-denial, when Christ brings your salvation as he appears within you.
Faith is not instant, it is a process that yields growth to share in the divine nature. As Peter instructs us: which exceedingly great and precious promises are given to us, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
For this very reason, make every effort [the maximum possible], add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
And to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, patience; and to patience, godliness;
And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly, kindness love.
For if these things are in you and abound, you will neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:4-8.
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