Shine

Work out your own salvation…Philippians 2:12

(follow up to there is still time)

At first glance it seems the Apostle Paul is suggesting there is something more for us to do to be saved. This bold statement comes at the end of the Apostle’s prophetic statement, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, verse 10. It proceeds his proclamation for it is God who works in you to will and to do for His good pleasure, etc. Verses 13 thru 15. 

In fact, much of chapter 2 of Philippians is a challenge. Including his reference to the drink offering in verse 17: verse, and if I am being poured out as drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Paul uses imagery from the Old Covenant to illustrate the New Covenant.

Could this have something to do with “Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven?” The last kingdom to be destroyed is the kingdom of Satan. Our victory has already been delivered. We have been removed from his power. He no longer has dominion over us. He brings death. We have been delivered from death into life. In this reality the work of Jesus is finished.

However, the Apostle also writes of another reality; the reality of our spiritual war. And our need for the full armor of God, Ephesians 6:10-20. Needful because the prince of this world is still at large seeking whom he may devour, 1 Peter 5:8. This will continue until the millennial reign of Jesus.

At that time, Jesus will rule the world with a rod of iron. While there is disagreement as to the details of such a rule, there is agreement the rod of iron symbolizes absolute authority on earth. During this time, the devil will be imprisoned. But he is not yet destroyed. When he is released it will not take him long to muster an army against King Jesus. A thousand years of peace will not slake man’s taste for violence.

Then Jesus will destroy the last kingdom of this fallen planet. Until then, we occupy our time under the good advice of the Apostle Paul:  Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among who you shine as lights in the world…Philippians 2:15. In doing so, we shall work out the details of our salvation.