A Drink Offering

There is so much in the six little verses of Philippians 2:12-18 that is absolutely vital to our walk with Christ. Paul tells the Philippians to obey in his absence like they did when he was with them. We, too, are to show godly character in every aspect of our lives. Paul continues to address the idea of obedience when he tells them to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling” (NASB vs. 12).  The word for work is a Greek word meaning to work to the fullest or to completion. We, too, should work to make sure of our standing with Christ because He will judge everyone when He returns (II Tim. 4:1; Rom. 2:16; Rom. 14:10) and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Him to be the Lord, as Paul has just finished saying in verse 10-11. I want to get that right while I am still breathing! Paul continues by telling them that God is the one working in their lives for His pleasure. We often forget this and live our life like it is about us and our pleasure, but it is not! Our purpose for existence is to bring Him glory—not ourselves (I Pet. 4:11). If we, as those saved by grace, obey him and seek His pleasure, we will bring Him glory and we will not spend our time and efforts grumbling and complaining (vs. 14), but rather holding fast to the “word of life” (vs. 17) and rejoicing in the opportunities He has given us to share our faith and joy in Christ (vs. 18). If we do all of this, Paul tells us that we will PROVE ourselves to be “blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (vs. 15). Not only will we be above reproach, but we will also be lights in the world in which we live because we will look so different from everyone else (vs. 15). The ones who don't have Christ in their lives should be drawn to us like moths to a flame.
Paul poured out his life for the church of his time, just as we are to pour our lives out for those in this generation in order to draw them to Christ. I can understand Paul’s thoughts in verse 16: he doesn’t want to have run or toiled in vain. Who would? My goal is to be like Paul in verse 17 when he says, “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.” Paul willingly poured himself out (the Greek word here is spendo meaning to spend one's self) so that they could know Christ. Honestly, this has never been my forte. I have not been good at sacrifice and service and suffering, but I believe that I am growing in that direction one step at a time as I draw closer to Christ through His word and obey Him as He leads. I don’t want Him to be disappointed when I see Him face to face, so I’ll keep on learning to be poured out until I see Him face to face.