[Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13]
Jesus Christ invites all Christians to choose to take the Scriptural way of salvation. The book of Exodus tells us that Christian salvation is a journey from slavery in Egypt to entering the land of freedom.
In Philippians 3:12, Paul said he had not obtained the complete salvation in Jesus Christ yet, but he pressed on to take hold of it and continued to work for complete salvation. He said he had confidence that God who began His “good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Why did Paul tell us to continue to work out our salvation? Because he understood that Christian salvation is not a one-time event, but it is a completion process. Please do not be confused by the language that Paul used in this statement. He did not say, “Work for your salvation,” but rather he said, “Work out your salvation.”
Working out your salvation means enjoying your salvation in daily life. For example, I will talk about the Detroit Tigers’ game today. By the way, Jonathan Schoop and Eric Haase hit sixteen home runs this year.
Think about this: If your friend says, “I bought a ticket for Detroit Tigers,” what does ‘buying a ticket’ imply? It implies that he or she will go to watch and enjoy the game. Again, why do people buy a ticket? Because they want to enjoy the game.
What Paul wanted to say is similar: if you are saved, you should enjoy your salvation.
In theology, “salvation” is the process from justification to sanctification, which means born-again Christians should grow in God with grace into Christian perfection in Christ Jesus until He comes again and tells us, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You can share my joy.”
Jesus was there to give you a ticket to enter into God’s kingdom at the beginning of your salvation journey. He will come again the moment you complete your salvation. At that moment, He will ask you, “Did you enjoy the salvation that I gave you?” How would you respond to Jesus if He asked you that question?
Jesus is only the one who has the authority to give us salvation, and He is the one who completes our salvation. In Revelation 22:13, God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
I will let you know how to test the status of your salvation in today’s passages. Think of it as self-evaluation.
- First: Christian salvation is a package deal as in verses 1-4.
- Second: Your Christian attitude keeps your salvation joyfully as in verses 5-8.
Encouragement from Jesus Christ, comfort in His love, tenderness, compassion, and complete joy are a package deal in Christian salvation. These are the full qualities of Christian salvation that you can hold in your Christian journey.
In other words, when you go to McDonald’s and order a Big Mac combo meal, everything is included: your sandwich, drinks, fries, napkins, and a straw. If you don’t get these items, they messed up your order.
In the same way, we have all kinds of spiritual blessings in our Christian life. These are available for saved Christians because they are a package deal. If you can hardly find any of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in your heart and life which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, that’s a red flag for your spiritual life. Please do some reflection!
Jesus Christ said the same thing in one of his parables.
The story of the ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom at the wedding banquet is in Matthew 25:1-13. In these passages, the five wise women whose lamps had oil that continued to burn would go to the wedding banquet and participate in a bride and bridegroom’s joy. The other five whose lamps ran out could not come to the celebration at the wedding ceremony.
Some Christians might interpret this parable as a salvation story. However, this story not only talked about salvation but about the attitude of how ten bridesmaids spent their time of waiting for the bridegroom. The story mainly talks about the disadvantage of not participating in the joyous moment of the wedding banquet because of an incorrect attitude.
Absent friend’s wedding
Imagine if you invite your friend to be the best man or the maid of honor in your wedding, and they say “Yes, I will do that!” But on the day of your wedding, all wedding guests are sitting on chairs and everything is ready, but the best man hasn’t show up. So, you call him and say, “Where are you?” And your friend says, “I am stuck on a highway because I ran out of gas. I am sorry, but I was too lazy to fill up earlier. It ‘s going to be a few hours.” What would you think about his attitude on what is supposed to be the happiest day of your life?
There’s a theological perspective in this parable. God still works to bring salvation for non-Christians and also works for holiness in Christians’ hearts and lives. “Holiness” means you cultivate your heart and life like you prune a flower garden to make it beautiful. You are Christian, which means you are saved through the gift of God. You don’t have to work everyday for your salvation, but you should try to maintain your life so that it is spiritually beautiful. This is Christian perfection.
I will conclude this sermon with a practical application for our daily lives. Think about God and His mighty power and His unconditional love for you as much as you can in your daily life. This is the correct attitude for a Christian.
There is an old Chinese proverb that talks about how your thoughts become your focus and your focus determines your results. It says, “Your thoughts become words. Your words become actions. Your actions become habits. Your habits become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
Our salvation journey is not completed yet, but let’s continue to work out our complete salvation. This is an inconvenient truth about salvation, and it is the Scriptural way of salvation in the Bible.
2021.08.01. Pastor Cloud Poy
@ Photo on Unsplash
