Title: What is Obedience?
Text: Phil 2:12-18

Last week's message on attitude concluded by saying the Christian's attitude is to be conformed to that of Christ in the matter of obedience. What is obedience? A simple definition of obedience is carrying out the wishes of another.

Obedience may be either willing or reluctant. A person may be reluctantly obedient because of intimidation, or fear. Do what you're told or I'll punch your lights out. Do what you're told or you'll be grounded. Do what you're told or you'll be fired.

Most of us with children, know the trouble we have getting them to clean their rooms. I heard of a man who had problems getting his son to clean his room. The son would always agree to straighten up, but then wouldn't follow through. After high school the son joined the Marine Corps. When he came home for leave after basic training, his father asked him what he had learned in the service.

"Dad," he said. "I learned what 'now' means."

Sometimes even in religious settings there is that fear or intimidation factor. You must be do this or do that to get to heaven or to escape hell.

The bible speaks of obedience in a different light. Willing, joyful obedience to God. Obedience that is not a burden, but a blessing. Obedience that is born out of love as a response to God's grace and love, rather than intimidation or fear.

Rather than the simplistic definition of just doing the will of another, obedience to God is how God accomplishes His purpose in the world. It provides a witness in and to a world that is darkened by sin and it is the means for finding fulfillment and joy in your relationship with God.

First we understand from the text that obedience is God working in you for His purpose.

Phil 2:12-13 "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for {His} good pleasure." (NAS)

Paul is always practical. He always relates doctrine to responsibility, character and conduct. It's not just enough that we are doctrinally sound unless we are applying that knowledge in practical ways in everyday living.

In verse 12 he commends the Philippians for their obedience, but reminds them that obedience to the will of God is not dependent on the knowledge and admiration of men. It was one thing to be obedient while they had the help and encouragement of Paul's presence. It would be a greater demonstration of faith and devotion for them to be obedient to the will of God while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. Their obedience must not be dependant on him.

True obedience is not what we do in the presence or knowledge of others, or what we do when we know people are looking, but what we do when people are not looking. The true test is not what I do when I'm in a place where everyone knows I'm a Christian, but what I do when I'm in the place where no one knows I'm a Christian. What do I do in my home when no one is watching, what kind of example am I, what do I teach my children by the things I do? When I don't think anyone is watching am I obedient to the Lord or to the world?

In regards to his absence Paul exhorts the Philippians work out your salvation with fear and trembling. This part of verse 12 is often misunderstood and sometimes used to defend a doctrine of salvations by works which it doesn't.

Let's first clear up any misunderstanding or confusion about salvation. The Greek word translated salvation is an inclusive term. It expresses the complete experience of the believer from the time he or she accepts Christ as Savior until they are made perfect in heaven. It has three tenses, past, present and future. It can indicate any one of three phases of the believer's experience, and it includes the basic ideas of three theological terms or church words. It includes the initial work of Salvation or being saved which is that point where a person recognizes their sin and need of a Savior, confesses their sin, repents and ask Jesus Christ to forgive and save them. It also includes what we refer to as sanctification, the on going process where we grow and mature becoming more like Christ and the ultimate realization of our faith glorification when finally experience the complete delivery from sin in eternity. That's why Paul can say you have been saved (Eph 2:8), you are being saved (1 Cor 1:18), and you shall be saved (1 Cor 3:18). Dr John Stott says he was taught years ago to remind himself "I have been saved (in the past) from the penalty of sin by a crucified Saviour. I am being saved (in the present) from the power of sin by a living Saviour. And I shall be saved (in the future) from the very presence of sin by a coming Saviour." (From The Stott Daily thoughts email 8-31-00)

In each phase it is God who is as work brining about salvation. When Paul wrote work out your salvation with fear and trembling. He is in no way saying or evening hinting that we are to work for our salvation, or work to bring about our salvation. We know this first from the grammar of the phrase which should be understood as carry out to the fullness. We know it from the immediate context where Paul is addressing those who have already accepted Christ and found forgiveness and new life in Him, and we know it from the larger context of Scripture which as we have noted before is clear on the fact that salvation is the work of God by grace (Eph 2:8-9).

What Paul was saying to the Philippian believers and what he is saying to us now is that we who have experienced salvation, must continue living out that salvation demonstrating the reality of new life in Christ. There are battles yet to be fought, victories yet to be won, virtues yet to be developed.

Also be sure not to confuse the words fear and trembling with the idea of intimidation and fear. The words don't denote terror, but rather submission and reverence towards God with a sense of humility concerning self. Fear and trembling is a consciousness of the holiness and perfection of God and an awareness of personal weakness and failure. Reverential fear and trembling is to understand that the Christian life is not about what you can do for God, but about God at work in you, both to will and to work for {His} good pleasure. (NAS)

The Living Bible I think paraphrases these verses in a very understandable way. It says: "Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him. For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants." ( Phil 2:12-13, TLB)

Working out your salvation with fear and trembling then is not inconsistent with faith, but is a one of the truest expressions and responses of that faith to the saving work of God in Christ Jesus our lord. That's obedience.

Obedience is also a witness to the world. My favorite passage from the sermon on the Mount is where Jesus says go into all the world and being salt and light. Well He didn't say it exactly like that. What He said was:

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty {again} It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do {men} light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matt 5:13-16, NAS)

Paul said the same thing in a different way when he wrote, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life. . .." (Phil 2:14-16, NAS)

The idea in both passages it there is to be a distinction between the Christian and the world. As we said last week our position as believers and joint heirs with Christ is not a shield from the world. It not something that sets us apart as being better than or superior to others. But the distinction or the difference should be readily visible to everyone. The area Paul is specifically referring to is doing the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him. We must always be aware that God does not demand from us what we cannot do. The things He demands are not necessarily easy, but as Paul later says in this letter, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13, NAS)

If the church is going to have any witness in the world believers are to rid themselves of constant complaining and bickering that leads to division and disputes. Individually whatever we do we must do as unto the Lord rather than men, striving to please the Lord. Nothing makes a worse impression on people than someone who is always whining and complaining about everything, and nothing makes a better impression than someone who takes whatever they are given to do and does it the best they can.

The same is true in the church as well. Nothing can ruin the reputation of a church more than members who claim to be Christians who are constantly fussing and fighting about everything. Worst of all it hinders the effective witness of the gospel message which Paul describes as the words of life.

He uses the phrase blameless and innocent children of God in opposition to crooked and perverse generation. He is not saying that believers are perfect or sinless, but again that their lives should demonstrate a clear discernable difference than the lives of nonbelievers in the world around them.

Unfortunately, the modern church has come to the place where it would rather be viewed in step with the thinking of the world rather than in opposition to it. Christians would rather be embraced by the world rather than taking a stand in the world.

The reason we are to take a stand in the world is to have a positive effect on the world. Obedience means that we will be seen as luminaries we know that word from luminaries people use for decoration at Christmas time. The basic idea is this: our lives as Christians should so manifest the light of Christ and be such a witness to the world we are seen like stars in a dark sky.

Is your life having that kind of an effect in your world? It will when we are obedient to the will of God in our lives and that will be a source of personal joy and fulfillment.

If there is anything Paul's life bears witness to it is the truth that obedience brings joy and fulfillment.

Roger Staubach who led the Dallas Cowboys to the World Championship in 1971 admitted that his position as a quarterback who didn't call his own signals was a source of trial for him. Coach Tom Landry sent in every play. He told Roger when to pass, when to run and only in emergency situations did Roger have permission to change the play (and he had better be right if he did!). Even though Roger considered coach Landry to be a "genius" when it came to football strategy, pride said that he should be able to run his own team.

Staubach later said, "I had to face up to the issue of obedience, and once I learned to obey there was harmony, fulfillment, and victory."

Paul knew following the will of God was even better than following coach Landry. With all he had gone through and with what he was facing at the time, he wrote, "But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you too, {I urge you,} rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me." (Phil 2:17-18, NAS)

Paul said I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you too, I urge you rejoice in the same way - that way, from trusting Him for salvation to living daily for Him is obedience.  Not just doing the will of another, allowing Him to accomplish His purpose in the world through you, providing a witness in and to a world and at the same time experiencing fulfillment and joy in your relationship with God.

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