Therefore!

Therefore!

“Therefore, my beloved, as you 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 . . . .” Phil. 2:12.

What are we supposed to do when we are to work out our own salvation? We could mention many things, but here it says, “Therefore,” which refers to the previous verses where we read about the mind of Christ. His mind was to renounce being like God. He had the mind of a servant—to humble Himself as a servant to the point of death, even the death of the cross. The death of the cross was considered a curse. Gal. 3:13. He did this of His own accord.

Therefore work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. What we are to work on is to humble ourselves. Our human nature is arrogant. This causes us to seek our own, which is the reason for all wretchedness. Phil. 2:20-21.

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and doubting.” Vs. 13-14.

We are subject to all kinds of influences, first of all from our own passions and desires, from reading material, from people, from hearing and seeing, and from the spirit of the times. All these influences want us to exalt ourselves, to enjoy life, to be rich in this world. Mankind is maturing to receive “the man of sin . . . the son of perdition” through the powerful working of Satan, with signs and lying wonders. 2 Thess. 2.

However, God is not inactive in the midst of all these influences. Why are there so few people who follow His working? Why do we need this exhortation: “Do all things without murmuring and doubting” in connection with His working? It is because we are humbled through His working. However, we can consider Jesus, to see what this leads to. God exalted Him; He received a name over all names. “Therefore, my beloved . . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling . . . .” Do not murmur when you are humbled or when you have to humble yourself! The “man of sin” exalted himself. We can see what his end will be. Our Lord Jesus, who humbled Himself, will consume Him with the breath of His mouth. Therefore, my beloved, flee “the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Pet. 1:4. “Flee youthful lusts,” and pursue the virtues of Christ. 2 Tim. 2:22. “But you, O man of God, flee these things”—the love of money. 1 Tim. 6:10-12.

Why do people not “flee”? Because they are arrogant. They are opposed to fornication, but read romance novels and look at provocative pictures. Even preachers do business with writing religious novels. Religious people speak about the corruption in the world, but they buy both radios and televisions. They are so arrogant that they believe they can follow along with everything and still be a Christian. You should be able to manage it if you are a “man of God”! You are far too proud when you think like this. Timothy was sufficiently humble to receive the exhortation to “flee these things.” Isa. 33:15-17.

Just because you lament over the corruption in the world does not justify your looking and hearing and following along with the development. We learn this from Lot. He was also afflicted by the filthy conduct of the ungodly, being tormented in his righteous soul by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds. 2 Pet. 2:7-8. It helped little that he reprimanded them. Gen. 19:7-9. Even though he was saved from the fire by Abraham’s prayer, his descendants became Abraham’s enemies. Ps. 83:8.

Why is it difficult for you when you are reprimanded or exhorted, especially when others hear it? Why do you become offended and bitter? It is because you feel humiliated. Why are you not working out your salvation instead of being offended? It is because you still have not followed Daniel’s example by setting your heart to humble yourself before God’s face. Dan. 10:12. Why are you unequally yoked together with unbelievers, touching the unclean thing? It is because you are arrogant. You are not satisfied with the portion that God has allotted to you. Yet you believe you can still be preserved as a Christian. 2 Cor. 6:14, 7:1. Where does all error come from? “Before I was humbled I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” Ps. 119:67. “It is good for me that I have been humbled.” If you cannot say this instead of being offended, then you also cannot learn His statutes. V. 71. When we have set our heart to humble ourselves, our attitude is as follows: “I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have humbled me.” V. 75.

Why do people speak so much about Jesus’ imminent return, but not about purifying themselves as He is pure? 1 John 3:3. It is because they are so arrogant that they do not see the need of purifying themselves. Why are people so preoccupied with predicting Jesus’ return and specifying a date for it? Because they want to have the reputation of having foretold the time. Why do you almost never hear that those who have prophesied falsely retract what they have said, but come with additional explanations instead? Because they do not want to humble themselves but rather garner an honor they do not deserve. Why are preachers in particular so preoccupied with healings and signs and wonders? Because they want to be like the Most High and gain a reputation; people do not want to be humbled but rather experience marvelous things. Jesus said that few are they who find the narrow way that leads to life. He also said, “Learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt. 11:29.

All unrest is caused by arrogance. People are concerned with great matters, with things that are too profound for them. Ps. 131. They become restless if they do not understand something. “Therefore, my beloved,” work out your salvation with fear and trembling. We enter into rest by humbling ourselves.