(Read Philippians 2)
This week witnessed a sizable snowfall in parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The storm especially hit Virginia at a bad time when traffic peaks around busy holiday weekends. Six tractor-trailer crashes and inadequate road crews couldn’t prevent what would happen next. I-95 was closed. Cars and trucks were stranded, some for over 24 hours, with no food, water, or fuel.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13
During this standstill, one weary family noticed a bread truck in front of them. For kicks, they called the company’s headquarters to see if they would allow the driver to open his truck to feed other hungry travelers. They didn’t expect to hear a thing. 20 minutes later, the CEO of the company called them back and released contents of the truck to nearby vehicles.
Years earlier, one week before we were scheduled to move, my wife had to have an emergency surgical procedure. We had packed every room except for the kitchen. For those of you who haven’t moved, that is the worst room in a home to pack. A few days before the move, I was out of town at a property inspection, and a friend took a day off from work to pack and sort our entire kitchen. Hearing our dilemma, another friend offered to drive our car 400 miles since my wife wasn’t yet permitted to drive. Random acts of kindness?
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul is telling his readers to put the truth of their beliefs into practice. Essentially, he is saying: so you claim you want to live Jesus’ life, show it. Live like it.
Notice Paul didn’t say, “work for” your own salvation. We can’t work “for” our salvation. Only by the grace of God do we receive it. He meant “work out.” In Greek, a more useful translation might be, “Bring it to the goal and completion.” God gave us our salvation, it’s up to us to use and apply it.
God works through us to give us the will to believe, to act, and to respond so that we may serve him for His purpose. It is our part to bring to fruit what God has instilled in us. God plays a part and so do we.
For the next few weeks, our devotions will focus on hope. The hope we receive from others’ loving actions and the hope we receive from a God who gave us the will to lift others.
For the past week, my wife and I have been stranded at home with fevers, coughs, and no energy. We both tested negative for Covid twice – just the old-fashioned flu. We’ve been hunkered down, mostly sleeping, reading, and watching television. My wife got a call from a neighbor who knew we were ill asking, rather insistently, that she go grocery shopping for us. “No” was an unacceptable response on our part. She picked up our entire list for us and even grabbed some add-ons on our list today. She went out of her way to serve us in our time of need. It’s who she is.
The CEO of the bread baking company didn’t have to call back the stranded motorists, no one would have known or been surprised if he didn’t reply. Our friends didn’t have to give up their precious free time to pack, travel, or shop. I know the heart of our neighbors and friends. They offered their kind gestures to make us comfortable, to ease our burdens, to be Christ-like.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Philippians 2:14-16
All kinds of people abide in good and evil. The next time you witness a truly kind, selfless act from someone, savor it. Soak it in. It’s a gift. As children of God, we are willed to help and serve. We “want to” because God programmed us that way. In this hectic, dark, fallen world of ours, there is hope. God is in full control. Nothing that happens here on Earth is a surprise in Heaven. So we shouldn’t be surprised when we are treated by acts of good from others. They aren’t random quirks, they are fruits of the spirit God put in place. His sovereignty put the perfect parts in motion.
Do you have a heart for God? Heed it.
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
(Psalm 37:4)
Key Application:
Is your heart pointing towards God? We all stray and live with ups and downs. Listen to the voice inside you when someone is in need. Be aware of people’s needs. Reach out. Your act of kindness is not driven by your desire to get ahead or powered by ego, it’s a byproduct of you as a new creation of God. Take an extra minute this week to listen. Be present with someone when they need you. Offer to drive them to where they need to go. Serve and act as our Father instructed.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.