When I was a kid, I used to walk a path through the woods behind my house that led through to a strip mall nearby. There was a bookstore there and at least once a month, my friends and I would walk there to check out that month's latest comic books. That path was familiar to me and not at all scary. That is, until I watched the original TV miniseries based on Stephen King's book, "It" (although I hear the remake is much scarier). While I was old enough to know there was no such thing as a demonic killer clown, the first time I went to walk that old familiar path in the woods, I distinctly remember feeling a sense of fear. The path seemed a little narrower than before. The foliage seemed thicker and there seemed to be less light shining through than normal. I knew it was irrational, but I swore I was going to come around a corner to find a scary clown holding a big red balloon, saying "Beep beep Chris, they all float down here...don't you wanna float too!?!" Needless to say, I made it to the book store in record time that day and found another route home.
We can laugh about stories like this from our childhood, but fear is no joking matter. All of us are afraid of things. We all at times suffer from worry and anxiety (also forms of fear). What are you afraid of? For some people it may be something often considered irrational (phobias) like spiders, clowns, dark or confined spaces, etc. For others it may be something more "real" like persecution or death. Maybe you find yourself consumed by worry about finances or what other people think about you. Whatever it is, everyone has something that they deeply fear.
In this week's scripture passage, we seem (at first glance) to find something else to add to our list of fears and worries. In Philippians 2:12, the Apostle Paul commands us to, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..." You mean on top of everything else I have to worry about, I also have to be worried over the assurance of my salvation (or lack thereof)??? Well, if you stop on the surface, you may be tempted to believe that to be true. However, digging deeper into the scriptures reveals a much different meaning to this passage.
As Ryan so aptly explained in his message this week, the overwhelming testimony of scripture is that God is faithful to his people...AND...there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation (and thus conversely nothing we can do to lose it). If those two things are true, then we have to interpret Paul's teaching here to the Philippians in light of those truths, in order to reveal what the Apostle is really saying.
True indeed, God is worthy to be feared. For unrepentant sinners, there should be a very real fear of God's wrath against unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). Likewise, for all men, there should be a fear (that is healthy respect) for God as our creator and the sovereign king of the universe. In the most direct sense, Paul's instruction to the Philippians is aimed at encouraging them towards the latter. That is, as we learned, that as followers of Christ, we should live lives in obedience to him as our king and savior, for our good and his glory. But in another, more general sense, Paul's teaching is also aimed at those who may be struggling with the former.
You see, a proper understanding of, and appreciation for, the Gospel addresses both of these fears. When we see clearly our brokenness, we become aware of our plight as sinners before a holy and just God...and our utter bankruptcy when it comes to making restitution for the debt that we owe. In this moment, the truth of the Gospel - that Jesus lived and died to pay the debt on our behalf - offers us hope and alleviates our fears. It isn't our righteousness (good works) that save us, but rather salvation is through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift, freely given by grace, not meritoriously earned.
In the same way, once we have been redeemed, and are now, day by day, being renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us, we are reminded of the great price that was paid to secure our freedom from the bondage of sin. This truth of the Gospel - that we are justified, once and for all time - grants us assurance and stirs in us worship and fear (that is honor and respect) for the one who is our Redeemer. As we celebrate and rest in the assurance of our salvation through Christ, we can't help but desire to glorify him with our lives in all that we say and do. Thus we see that the Gospel simultaneously has the power to dismantle our fears (our worries and anxieties) and instill in us a new type of fear (awe and respect). What a glorious thing to celebrate!
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 7 - Living as Lights in a Dark World
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. What is a healthy view of our works in regard to the gospel?
2. What does Paul mean by "it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure?"
3. Why does Paul tell the Philippians to do all things without grumbling or questioning?
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