DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Philippians 2:12-16 (10/19) Epistle for
Monday of the Twentieth Week after Pentecost
Apostolic Admonitions I ~ Work Out Your Salvation: Philippians
2:12-16, especially vs. 12: “Therefore,
my beloved...work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling....” The present passage begins another weekday course of
readings in the Epistle to the Philippians, a letter of appreciation from the
Apostle Paul to the Christians in
As the Apostle launches into the topic of salvation,
observe his classically Orthodox “statement of truth by opposites”
for first he says, “...work out your own salvation...,” but then he
appears to contradict himself and says, “...it is God who works in
you...” (vss. 12,13). Actually he is demonstrating the
fullness of the truth about the struggle for salvation.
Do not fret about “who” accomplishes the work
of salvation, for here the Apostle speaks as if both God and the Philippians
were responsible for mankind’s eternal deliverance. In fact, seeming opposites actually
constitute a true, balanced statement concerning the synergistic relationship
of God and man in the process of salvation. Each of us works out his salvation; but
quietly, firmly God works in us, encouraging, illumining, and filling us with
His grace (vs. 13).
Christians know full-well that it is the good will of God
the Holy Trinity that yokes us to Christ in the work of salvation. Also, each one struggles not just for
himself but for the entire creation.
We are called into unity in Christ to defeat the demonic powers that act
to divide us from one another and creation. For this reason, in the Divine Liturgy,
we pray for the revelation of Christ’s entire Body, asking for the
descent of the Holy Spirit both upon ourselves and upon His gifts set forth
before God. Each one works at his
own salvation “...with fear and trembling...” (vs. 12), because
salvation is a treasured gift from God, with Whom we
are cooperating. Truly it is
awesome how God stands with us to save us - for our deliverance is
“...His good pleasure” (vs. 13).
Also observe that salvation is not merely an individual
matter between one’s self and God.
We are children in the family of our Father Who
is in Heaven. Therefore we are
members of one another, united under one Head in the Body of Christ. The salvation of others must be the
concern of all. As white corpuscles
rush to any point of infection in a physical body, so let the prayers of
Christians hasten to the Lord on behalf of their brethren in Christ who are in
need.
Observe that the Apostle does not speak of mutual concern
in generalities. Rather, he teaches
that action must be taken to “Do all things without complaining and
disputing...” (vs. 14). If we look ahead in Philippians, we see
Not only is the salvation of each Christian linked to the
salvation of one’s fellow Christians, but also, by its nature, salvation
requires concern for those among whom we are to “...shine as lights in
the world...” (vs. 15) - for non-believers
outside the Christian community.
This is a dark world groping amidst hatred, violence,
death, and meaningless pleasures, but we are the light of Christ; yet, if we
allow our souls to be dimmed by the darkness of sin, our prayers lose their
power. Let us “...become
blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked
and perverse generation...” (vs. 15). The Apostle’s word is
“become.” Salvation is
our work - cleansing ourselves of all that keeps us from being light in the
world.
O Good One, accept whatever good will is in us and send yet
more measures of strength.
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