Shining Like Stars

Shining Like Stars

Philippians 2:12-18

Main Idea: Paul exhorts the Philippians to work out their salvation by the power of God’s enabling grace and to shine like stars in a dark world.

In a recent sermon at our church, my (Tony’s) friend, and hip-hop pioneer, William Branch, also known as “The Ambassador,” talked about an aspect of hip-hop culture:

Hip-hop knows glory. They know that glory is meant to be seen; glory is meant to be displayed. Hip-hop has an embedded conviction: if you come from nothing, and finally get “everything,” flaunt it. Thus [we hear] slang terms like “floss,” “swag,” and “shine.” So if you got it, flaunt it. Or in the words of the New Orleans-based rap crew Cash Money, “Get your shine on!”

In this passage Paul tells the church, “Get your shine on” by making the glory of Christ known in a dark and perverse culture.

How do you follow the amazing Christ hymn in Philippians 2:6-11? It’s majestic, isn’t it? The truths found in it and the scope of it leave us in awe and wonder. But there are also practical implications of this hymn, as Paul points out in this passage. Notice the link from the hymn to this passage. Paul says, “So then” (v. 12) or “Therefore” (ESV). He’s looking back to what was just said and preparing to make some strong exhortations. Paul exhorts the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling and to shine like stars in the sky.

Indeed, Paul teaches us much about Christian discipleship in this passage. The whole tone of this passage is pastoral. Paul begins with “my dear friends.” He loves the Philippians. And he loves them enough to exhort them with strong words in the spirit of a shepherd. Notice also three connections in this passage. Paul connects God’s work and our work in verses 12-13. Then in verses 14-15 he connects avoiding grumbling with shining as lights in the world. In verses 16-18 he connects sacrifice and rejoicing. Let’s consider these three connections under three simple headings: “Work Out,” “Shine,” and “Rejoice”—all ways we should live before the Lord Jesus Christ.

Work Out

Philippians 2:12-13

Verses 12-13 provide us with a wonderful starting point for understanding what we call in theology “sanctification,” that is, the lifelong obedience of believers, which leads us to growth in Christlikeness. This passage is not about works-based righteousness. Paul doesn’t say, “Work for your own salvation.” We can’t earn salvation (Eph 2:8-10). Paul says, “Work out your salvation.” That’s a huge difference. God has worked salvation for us by His sovereign grace alone. Christ has done the work on the cross to bring us “justification.” Sanctification is about living in light of this gracious gift of salvation, living in light of our new position and our new identity. As Paul teaches us about sanctification, he commends the Philippians, then he commands the Philippians, and he then comforts the Philippians.

Commending (2:12a)

Paul opens up by commending the Philippians for obeying Jesus consistently. He says that the church obeyed in his presence and his absence. Before Paul commands the Philippians, he commends the Philippians. This is a good pattern for making disciples. Commend and command. Encourage and exhort. Notice the mingling of commending and commanding in Thessalonians, as Paul teaches about sanctification:

Finally then, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God—as you are doing—do so even more. (1 Thess 4:1; emphasis added)

About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more. (1 Thess 4:9-10; emphasis added)

In both of these texts Paul drops in an encouragement, “you are doing this,” as he tells them to “do so even more.” This is a sweet, pastoral motivation that we should practice with those under our instruction.

We, too, should find fresh encouragement and motivation here. If you find yourself growing in Christian maturity, realize that it’s evidence of God’s grace. We aren’t what we ought to be or what we will be one day, but by God’s grace, we are not what we used to be! Let us now press on to obey “more and more” with great joy.

Commanding (2:12b)

Paul continues by saying, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Paul doesn’t say that because the Philippians are justified they should just passively coast along in their Christian journey. He urges them to what Eugene Peterson calls “a long obedience in the same direction,” which will be a difficult endeavor in this fallen world (Peterson, A Long Obedience). Paul also doesn’t say (based on v. 13) that once we become Christians, we are left entirely to our own power to live this life of obedience. We can work out our salvation because God is at work within us.

What does it mean to work out one’s salvation? Surely there are hundreds of implications of working out the life-changing salvation that God has wrought in our souls. But to work out your salvation simply means to follow the example of Christ. In the Christ hymn, Jesus has given us the pattern for obedience. He has shown us what humble, others-focused, God-glorifying obedience looks like. That’s the kind of life that we are called to live as believers. Does your life look like Philippians 2:6-8? Are you praying and striving for growth in humility, personal holiness, selfless service, and sacrificial mission by the power of God’s enabling grace?

We might wish we could find a shortcut, some special diet to grow in Christlikeness, but following in the footsteps of Jesus requires daily taking up our cross. My (Tony) son James once looked at the picture on a particular cereal box and asked me, “If I eat this cereal, will I become a football player?” I said, “You need a bit more than cereal to become an athlete.” The fact is, there are no shortcuts to becoming a professional athlete. It requires discipline and long workouts. So it is with the Christian’s growth in Christlikeness. We can’t take a pill or eat kale and automatically turn into perfectly sanctified individuals. We must work out our salvation every day by the grace of God.

This is a challenge—a long obedience in the same direction. We live in a fast-paced, fast-food, microwave, Internet culture, but sanctification is a slow process. We are often drawn to mega conferences and flashy events, but God has called the Christian to the day-in, day-out process of growing in Christlikeness. It’s easy to show a spark of enthusiasm at an event; it’s quite another thing to live faithfully and consistently when no one is watching and when no one cares. May God rekindle in us a passion for ordinary obedience, day to day, following the pattern of Jesus.

We must point out one other note before moving on. We tend to view verse 12 in a merely individual sense. Work out “your” salvation. But as with many passages in the New Testament, we should not merely highlight the personal dimension of salvation; we should also see the corporate dimension of it. Hanson provides a fine explanation of this personal and corporate dynamic:

The plural form of the verb work out and the pronoun your can be seen as corroboration that Paul’s command should not be interpreted in a merely individual sense as a requirement for each individual to work [out] personal, eternal salvation but in a corporate sense as a call for the whole community to rebuild social harmony. Paul’s consistent emphasis on the unity of the church in this context compels us to see that Paul’s call to work out your salvation has an ecclesiological reference: it is a call to restore harmony in the church by serving one another. This contrast between an individualistic sense and a corporate sense to the command work out your salvation does not posit an antithesis between individual responsibility and corporate responsibility. Restoring unity in the church by serving one another is the responsibility of each individual Christian. Paul’s command in verse 14 to do everything without grumbling and arguing confronts each member with the challenge to desist from attitudes and words that tear apart the social fabric of the community. (Letter, 172–73; italics in original)

So, work out your own salvation—and do so with brothers and sisters in the context of the local church.

What does it mean to work out our salvation with “fear and trembling”? Obviously, this implies that the Christian should live in awe of God. It has to do with living in humility before God and in submission to His will. Based on the previous Christ hymn, this makes perfect sense! One way to cure selfish ambition and vain conceit (2:3) is by living with an awareness of the holy presence of God. That should put us in our place. That should compel us to live lives of holiness. While Christians should not be terrified of God, since we have found secure refuge in Christ, we should live in awe of Him (cf. 2 Cor 5:11). This is a fundamental concept of Christian discipleship. In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to fear Him (e.g., Deut 10:2), and we learn, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov 9:10). In the presence of our great and awesome God, let us work out our salvation.

Comforting (2:13)

Following this heavy imperative, Paul provides a comforting encouragement, reminding the Philippians that they aren’t called to obey in their own power. Instead, he says, “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose” (2:13). What will prevent us from burning out and giving up? It is knowing this fact: God is at work in us! D. A. Carson notes,

God is not working merely to strengthen us in our willing and acting. Paul’s language is stronger than that. God himself is working in us both to will and to act: he works in us at the level of our wills and at the level of our doing. But far from this being a disincentive to press on, Paul insists that this is an incentive. Assured as we are that God works in this way in his people, we should be all the more strongly resolved to will and to act in ways that please our Master. (Basics, 62; emphasis in original)

Indeed, this is an incentive—God is at work in us at the deepest of levels. God is working in us to bring our salvation to completion (1:6). We work because God works (Hanson, Letter, 178). The psalmist says of our dependency on God, “Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain” (Ps 127:1). Paul writes of God’s working empowering his working in several places. To the Colossians, he writes, “I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me” (Col 1:29; emphasis added). To the Corinthians he says, “But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me” (1 Cor 15:10). Based on this massively comforting truth—that underneath our work is God’s work—work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Paul says that God is working in us for “His good purpose” (2:13). God fulfills His good purposes in us by His mighty power. Isn’t this comforting? You aren’t alone, Christian. God is at work in you, and He is accomplishing His good purposes in and through you.

Let us step back for a moment now. If you’re a genuine Christian, then receive a sweet commendation, embrace this commandment, and press on with joy based on this comforting truth: God is at work in us to will and work for His good pleasure.

Shine

Philippians 2:14-16

What does it look like to work out our salvation with fear and trembling practically? While it certainly means living like Jesus, Paul moves on in the next paragraph to describe the attitude one should have as he or she obeys Christ and pursues likeness to Him. Indeed, working out our salvation is a comprehensive concept; as Paul says, “Do everything” without complaint. Following Jesus involves following Him in every area of life. His challenge brings us to the second connection, namely, between complaining and shining.

Avoid Grumbling and Arguing (2:14)

It might surprise you to see that Paul chooses the avoidance of “grumbling and arguing” as his concrete expression of working out our salvation. He gives a comprehensive application, “Do everything,” with this particular command, “without grumbling and arguing.” What’s in view? Everything. Live all of life, doing everything you’re called to do, without grumbling. Paul issues another all-inclusive imperative to the Corinthians like this one, only in a positive sense: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory” (1 Cor 10:31). Instead of grumbling, glorify God in all that you do.

Why would Paul mention this temptation to grumble? One reason is obvious: Christian perseverance is difficult. Discipleship isn’t an easy road. Pursuing holiness, giving generously, practicing hospitality, loving one’s spouse and kids appropriately, sharing the gospel, and other facets of Christian discipleship could tempt one to complain and murmur. The temptation to complain and argue is not only a temptation personally; it’s a big temptation corporately as well. Remember the context: the Philippian church had some internal strife (4:2-3; see also 1:27–2:4). They also had external pressure (1:28). These problems could lead one to complain both to God and to one another. Complaining is a temptation for anyone in a local church because people often can’t live up to the expectations of others. At some point, the pastors, the small group leaders, the singers, the greeters, or your accountability partner will disappoint you. What will you do? You will be tempted to complain.

In our young church plant I have watched people come and go in two-and-a-half short years. Often people come in with great enthusiasm for all that’s involved in a church plant—the sacrifices, the challenges, the relationships, the risk, the vision. Then over time, the honeymoon ends, seasons change, and disappointment and discontentment set in. The temptation to complain and argue becomes very strong. This is also a temptation for the pastors! The challenges of leading a church could tempt one to live in self-pity and despair, spewing out Israel-like grumblings.

Sometimes complaining expresses itself in whispers of grumblings against someone, and at other times it rises to vocal arguments. We find examples of grumbling and arguing in the wilderness narratives found in Exodus and Numbers (Exod 16:7-12; Num 14:2,26; 17:5-25). You might just pause and go read those accounts. Paul told the Corinthians to consider their sad example and do the opposite (1 Cor 10:10). The question is not, Will you be tempted to complain? You will be tempted to complain by others, since complaining is the common language of the culture—and it always has been. We live in a world filled with complainers! When you are tempted, what will you do? Will you downplay this sin, as many often do, or will you remember this verse? Maybe a better question is How can you maintain a joyful attitude in the face of these problems?

Once again, we must go to the gospel for joy. The gospel tells us that we are far better off than we deserve. Considering what we deserve and what we’ve been given should keep us from complaining. When we lose sight of the gospel, we will go down the dark hole of murmuring. Keep your focus on Philippians 2:6-11 and 3:7-11 and you won’t disobey Philippians 2:14. The Israelites complained when they lost sight of God’s redemption, and we will complain if we lose sight of the greater exodus found in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

John Piper reported a vivid illustration of the need to meditate on what we have in Christ and what we have coming in the future in order to put trials in their proper perspective. Newton likened complaining to the folly of the following scenario:

Suppose a man was going to New York to take possession of a large estate, and his [carriage] should break down a mile before he got to the city, which obliged him to walk the rest of the way; what a fool we should think him, if we saw him ringing his hands, and blubbering out all the remaining mile, “My [carriage] is broken! My [carriage] is broken!” (“John Newton”)

We must remember that we only have a mile to go. Soon we will see Christ. Soon we will be with Christ. We don’t deserve such an inheritance. So if we have to walk a mile, we can do it with a song.

The Reason to Avoid Grumbling and Arguing (2:15-16)

Obviously, we should avoid grumbling because it’s offensive to God. Grumbling is an awful sin. This alone should serve as sufficient reason to avoid it; but Paul’s reason in the next verse, indicated by the “so that,” goes beyond this reason. Paul has the world in view. He says that grumbling and arguing damage our witness.

Shining as children of God (v. 15). If you want to shine like stars in the world, you must resist the temptation to grumble. When our conversations with other believers, or among outsiders, are filled with negative murmuring, we lose our distinctiveness. Paul says that we should instead be “blameless,” “pure,” and “faultless” in this generation, which he characterizes as “crooked and perverse.” Grumbling causes us to lose our distinctive character, or in the words of Jesus, our “saltiness” (Matt 5:13-16). Consequently, we will lose our effectiveness. Realize, then, that others are watching you. Others are listening to you. What are they seeing, and what are they hearing? Are we standing out like bright stars in a dark sky? This is Paul’s concern as it pertains to grumbling. He has the watching world in view. We will shine like stars, and like a city on a hill, when our conversation remains blameless, pure, and faultless.

Consider what an opportunity we have for making an eternal difference in someone’s life simply by speaking a different language from that of the culture—by going through the day, avoiding the temptation to grumble, and replacing that practice with gratitude and praise. When my friend C. J. Mahaney enters a coffee shop or some public space and they ask him, “How are you doing?,” he often responds with, “I’m doing far better than I deserve.” Yes, we are! When we pepper our ordinary days with expressions of gratitude instead of expressions of complaining, we get our shine on! We can make a difference in people’s lives simply by obeying this verse. The fact is we are indeed “doing far better than we deserve.” This is indicated here in this passage and throughout Philippians. Paul reminds the church that they are “children of God” (2:15). We don’t deserve to be adopted children of the Father, but that’s what we are as Christians. Our Father loves us, hears us, and provides for us. Marvel at this, and fill your conversations with gratitude.

As you consider the challenge to shine in the world, remember again that God is at work in us. We aren’t alone in this battle. God empowers His children to speak in a way that glorifies Him and attracts others. Are you relying on His grace to speak in ways that are gracious and appropriate (see Col 4:2-6)? Paul is drawing a sharp distinction between the type of speech we should have and that of the rest of this “crooked and perverted” generation. Is your speech different? Do you see how important it is to avoid complaining and arguing?

Also, remember this passage if you ever find yourself being persecuted. When one avoids complaining in the face of persecution, he or she stands out like a radiant light. That person is saying, “Christ is worth it. Christ is better.” When our language is like that instead of murmuring, it gets people’s attention. May God empower us to light up the night with such words and attitudes.

Holding firmly to the message of life (v. 16a). In verse 16a Paul develops his argument further as he explains a particular way one should shine: “Hold firmly to the message of life.” In contrast to complaining, Christians should be defending and proclaiming the word of life. Don’t turn loose of God’s Word in a dark culture, and don’t stop proclaiming it to a perverse culture. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col 3:16) so that it will permeate your heart and spill out into praise and proclamation. The word of life is our source of vitality, and it is the message we hold out to the world.

We could summarize this section with Mahaney’s statement, “Paul wants the church to be a proclaiming church, not a complaining church” (“Better Than I Deserve”). If we complain but try to proclaim, we become confusing to others. Let us fill our speech with gratitude and grace as we hold out the word of life to a dark world. This is a life worthy of the gospel of Christ (1:27).

Anticipating the day of Christ (v. 16b). Paul moves from his exhortations to a personal reason for the church to shine that involves an eternal outlook on this life. He says, “Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.” Paul’s images of running and laboring remind us of the strenuous nature of ministry. Paul uses such images elsewhere (e.g., 1 Cor 3:11-15; 9:24-26; 15:10; Gal 2:2). Why endure the difficulty? Paul labors for “the day of Christ” (cf. 1:6,10). This is instructive for us. We often minister with very shortsighted goals, but Paul takes the long view. Paul knew that the only One who mattered would one day evaluate his work. Because of this reality, he worked hard and sought to finish his race well (2 Tim 4:6-8). Our goal shouldn’t be to gain popularity or to grow a huge church, but to be faithful to Jesus.

Don’t misunderstand the phrase “Then I can boast” as a statement of personal pride and self-exaltation. That would be entirely inconsistent with the whole letter of Philippians. Paul’s boasting will be a boasting in the grace of God, who worked in his life and his labor and in the lives of the Philippians. The Philippians’ fruitfulness will prove on the final day that he didn’t run in vain. He tells the church to persevere in light of this eternal perspective.

Rejoice

Phlippians 2:17-18

In verses 17-18 Paul changes the image from running and working to being a sacrificial offering. The previous images of a runner and a laborer imply endurance, but this image implies more. It implies the giving of one’s own life.

Look at how much Paul loves this church. His main focus is on the church’s faithfulness and fruitfulness; what’s secondary is his own suffering and situation. Paul isn’t complaining about serving as a drink offering. He leads by example. What’s impressive about this drink offering analogy is that Paul says, “I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” Just as wine was poured out in ancient (Greek and Jewish) sacrificial ceremonies, Paul says he is happy to pour out his blood for the advancement of the gospel. Just as Christ emptied Himself, Paul is glad to pour out himself for the glory of God. He’s a glad offering.

In addition, Paul urges the church to follow his example of pouring out their lives in service and to rejoice with him. Here we find another text on imitation, a theme running through Philippians. Jesus was the ultimate example for us (2:5-11), and here Paul serves as an example. In the next passage we find two more examples worth following (see also 3:17). Paul gives the church, and us, an amazing picture of rejoicing through trying times. How can he rejoice? Jesus is Lord. Jesus is worth it. Jesus will bring to completion what He began. In Jesus and through Jesus, we are doing better than we deserve! Root your joy in Jesus.

How do we live in light of the truths of the Christ hymn of Philippians 2:6-11? In the shadow of the cross, and before the throne of God, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; give a shining witness to a dark world by not grumbling but holding out the word of life; and rejoice through sacrificial service, rooted in the grace of God and anticipating the coming day of Christ Jesus.

Reflect and Discuss

1. There is a significant difference between “working for your salvation” and “working out your salvation.” Why is this an important distinction to make?
2. What does it mean to have “a long obedience in the same direction”?
3. How does living with an awareness of the holy presence of God compel you to live a life of holiness?
4. Underneath our work is God’s work. How does this bring comfort to your life as a Christian?
5. How does grumbling and complaining damage your witness?
6. We are all tempted to complain and grumble. How can you maintain a joyful attitude in the face of the problems of life?
7. What do Paul’s images of running and laboring teach you about the nature of your ministry to others?
8. How does the reality of “the day of Christ” affect how you live your life and make disciples?
9. Paul also uses the image of being a “sacrificial offering.” What does this image teach you about the nature of your ministry to others?
10. What do you find encouraging about Paul’s sacrificial mind-set? How can you cultivate this type of mind-set for the advancement of the gospel?