Shining like Stars

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 according to his good purpose.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

~Philippians 2:12-18

Boy, it's been a long time since any kids have shown up for Bible Study, we might never get through Philippians. Guess I just have to call all of them every Saturday night. Post cards and emails aren't enough.

Anyway, let's break this passage down to it's core basics. Think of Paul like he's talking to you like a Coach.

• Character is who you are when no one's watching. You should play the way I taught you even when I'm not around.
• Let God use you, He's the one who works through you.
• Quit your belly achin', we want winners, not whiners!
  
• Don't complain and don't argue- just do your job. Stay focused.
• Keep your nose clean and you'll stand out- especially in this day and age.
• Make me proud.

I think that once again, Paul is trying to encourage us to keep going. Like a coach (or a Drill Sergeant) , he's running along side us trying his best to spur us on.

Take that first part of the passage: "continue to work out your salvation."
Lutheran churches are really careful about always reminding their members that there's absolutely nothing we can do to be saved- Jesus did that for us by dying on the cross and rising again on Easter morning, so don't make the mistake that Paul is telling the Philippians to work hard so they can get to Heaven. Think of it this way, "Workout" your salvation- don't let it get flabby, use it or lose it. So how do you workout your salvation?

The instructions might just be earlier in the chapter, go back and re-read Chapter 2, verses 1-4 and make yourself a list. It might look something like this-

• unity with Christ,
• comforted from his love,
• with the Holy Spirit,
• be tender and compassionate
• like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
  
• Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
• humility consider others and look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Of course, verses 5-11 show us what Jesus' nature is like, selfless, caring, loving, hard working. It is a hard list. Workouts are never easy, that's why they're called "work." Sound like a coach or a drill sergeant again?

Well, in class this morning we focused mostly on the "being united with Christ" part from verse one. The more time you spend with a friend or loved one, the more alike you tend to become- even sharing mannerisms, behaviors, and speech patterns. Of course, if you never spend any time together, you'll soon grow apart. The same is true with our relationship with God.

How can we spend time with God so that He can teach us, influence us, and so that we can become more and more like Him? To the point that we begin to be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose? There are at least three simple but powerful ways:

1. Read the Bible
2. Pray
3. Spend time with other Christians talking about what God reveals to you in prayer and his word, working together to serve others or worshiping Him together (this 3rd one is called "Fellowship").
   

Sure, you can get all three once a week at church, but you can do it one on one with a support partner or a mentor, or you can do it in a small group- prayer group, Bible study group, support group- heck, I bet you could even do it online (for instance, in our Facebook group).

The more you do these three things, the more contact you have with Jesus, the more like Jesus you will become. Amen to that, we need more people like Him in this world.