The Performance Of The Pattern

Let us begin today to muse from a new section of Philippians and that of verses 12-13 of chapter two. I have entitled this part the performance of the pattern. It is here Paul deals with the basics of living what we believe in an unwelcome situation. I see in verses12-13 the obedience of performance. In verse 12a they obeyed when Paul was there, now they must walk the road of obedience alone. I find to walk this road in a shut up to God situation there will have to be the working out of obedience. A gold mine owned by one may make him rich on paper, but it means nothing  until it is worked out. It must be done with fear and trembling. This phrase means to quake with reverence for another. Why must this be a part of the working out? It is serious work to live what we believe. In verse 13 I see the working in of obedience. Rest assured you can not work out what has not been worked in. The verse says that God works in us His will. The word will is the desire and the ability to say no to wrong and yes to right. This walk of obedience is not about my free will. It is me giving up all my choices  for His will.