“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always
obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out
your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Phl 2:12
The
term Spiritual Formation is a broad title referring to all attempts, means,
instructions and disciplines towards deepening of faith and furtherance of
spiritual growth. Here in Philippians, Paul’s instructing the church (already saved Christians) in their duty
to grow spiritually, not their efforts in earning their salvation. As a
believer your focus is to be on Christ. It is a lifelong process to become a
disciple; more Christ like. This is possible by the divine grace of the gospel
and the empowering of the Holy Spirit through God; “For it is God, which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure” (Phl 2:13) Thus man’s instruction to “work-out” calls for the
forming of the inner soul of man in such a way that it becomes like the inner
being of Christ himself allowing you to do of His good will. We can simplify this calling of Paul to “work-out”
in a four step sentence structure…1) A process (2) of being conformed (3) to
the image of Christ (4) for the sake of others.
Your
good works are to show forth the beauty of your salvation; allowing others to
see the beauty of Christ!
HSAY…Todd
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