Salvation Series Part 2
What does the context of Philippians 2:12 say?
It’s not a soteriology text, nor is it a biblical text that we could or should use to explain eternal salvation. Because here we talk about salvation in terms of the daily life that Christians are expected to have. It especially refers to being free from strife and vainglory.
Paul is describing the Christian life he expects from the Philippians, and that is the life that God expects him to bring. For example, in chapter 1.27-30 he says:
“Only that you behave in a manner worthy of the Gospel of the Messiah, that, whether he may go and see you, either What Being absent, hear about you who are steadfast in the same spirit, unanimous, fighting together for the faith of the Gospel; In nothing intimidated by those who oppose, which is for them evident sign of perdition, More For you, for salvation, and that on the part of God. For it has been granted unto you because of the Messiah, not only that you believe in him, but also pedestals for him, having you the same conflict that you saw in me, and now you hear that it is in me.” BTX
Note the emphasis on “behaving in a manner worthy of the Gospel of the Messiah…”. And Paul also reminds them that God “has granted them to believe and suffer for the Messiah.” It is from the Christians to lead a dignified and pious life. Now we see in the verses later that the Apostle The It leads to a greater level of humility, which is expected to have, and sets Christ as an example.
“Do nothing for rivalry or vainglory, but with humility, Considered one another as superior to yourselves. Not looking at every Which one For their own sake, but also for that of others. Consider among yourselves what was also in Jesus the Messiah. ” Philippians 2.3-5 (BTX)
In the context of Philippians 2.12, (including Chapter 1) We must pay special attention to all verses, especially verse 2.15 which says: “That ye may be blameless and simple, children of God without blemish in the midst of a wicked and depraved generation, Among which shine as luminaries in the world. ” This verse encloses the central objective of this context, and is to be completely different from how the people of our generation live, and therefore to be “luminaries in the world.” The passage in no way speaks of the possibility of losing salvation or-to care for it-not to lose it.
The verse begins with a “therefore”, an “so” or “in such a way that”; And this connects verse 12 with all the above saying in which we were put as a maximum and sublime example of humility to our Lord himself, Jesus the Messiah. So, what is said later, in verse 12 and subsequent; It is a demand that the apostle makes, and that he hopes that they, as they have always done, continue to do so whether he is present or absent: to live in dignity in obedience. Paul asks them to do it “with fear and trembling” as he himself was driving; When he wrote to the Corinthians he told them that he came to them “… with weakness, and with fear and with much trembling” (1 Co 2.3 BTX), asking them the same, asking them to have that same attitude.
What are you asking them?
Let them “take care of their salvation.” Yes, to be “luminaries in the world” they had to work hard to live with dignity and make a difference. It is what we are asked today, to behave with a sense of respect and responsibility. It is nothing but the demand for every believer: holiness. It is a passage where we demand our “human responsibility” in the way of our pilgrimage through this world.
Paul refers here to salvation, not as the justifying work, nor as the work of having been delivered from eternal damnation; But as that progressive salvation from sin, which accompanies us all the days of our pilgrimage. God saves us every day in our fight against sin, he preserves us. Paul refers to the progressive stage of personal sanctification, in which there is the believer’s participation. The believer does not partake in his eternal salvation, for it is by grace and not by works, that we see in Ephesians 2.8-10; But the believer does participate in his personal sanctification and Progressive every day of his life. Paul said that he himself “worked” through Grace, in his own life to please f the series salvation”But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain; On the contrary, I worked more than all of them, but not me, but the grace of God with me.” (1 Cor 15:10 BTX)
