As you know, I've set myself some pretty tough challenges in 2025. Not only surfing in Hawaii and bagging another peak in the Swiss Alps. But also training my body to the point where I think I can, just maybe, accomplish these rather daunting tasks. This means, among other things, getting to the gym 3 times a week and getting in 18,000 steps every day.
In Phil. 2:12-13, Paul has just set before the Philippians a very daunting challenge. They are to imitate Christ. They are to be just as gospel-minded as he was and is. They are to give their lives in the service of others. And they are to do this with the same self-sacrificing attitude that Christ had.
In short, the Philippians -- and we -- must follow the example of Christ in everything we do. This is what makes the challenge so intimidating. None of us can perfectly imitate Jesus Christ and his evangelistic service. I know I can't. Hence Paul's words here in Phil. 2:12-13.
As we face the daily challenge of following the evangelistic model of Jesus Christ, Paul wants us to understand that we can work out the gospel of Jesus Christ in our daily lives because God is at work in us to make that possible. Paul encourages the Philippians in the imitation of Christ by reminding them of their responsibility to "work out" what God is "working in" them. This is the in-and-out principle of the Christian life. Just as weight loss involves "calories in/calories out," so we can show forth the gospel outwardly because the gospel is at work within us. And since the gospel is at work in us, we must express it outwardly in words and actions. We are to work out, speak out, act out, show out, shout out, and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I like to call this the "daily workout of the gospel." God intends for each one of us to show out the gospel in our daily lives, be it at the gym or on the beach or with a group of likeminded mountaineers. And we do this because God the Holy Spirit is at work in us, giving us both the desire and the ability to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever we go.
But someone might say, "I have no desire for this gospel workout. I know I should, but I don't. And even if I did, I'm not sure I could do it." It's like someone saying, "Why should I bother to train and lose weight or get into better shape? I've always failed in the past. Why should I try now?" The fact is, once we begin to tell others about Jesus Christ, it actually becomes easier. It's both exciting and fulfilling. It's what Christian living is all about. Christian witness may be the hardest thing in the Christian life but it's the best thing in the Christian life.
The Christian who doesn't understand this is the Christian who isn't having his daily gospel workout. The Christian who puts his energy into only his own agenda will never truly enjoy the Christian life. A non-witnessing Christian is full of complaining and arguing (v. 14), thinking that life is all about him and getting his way. A Christian with a selfish, self-centered spirit is a Christian who isn't a gospel partner. He isn't involved in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. By contrast, a Christian who is showing out the gospel of Jesus Christ will shine like a star in the darkness of space (v. 15). He will be a point of light shining out the life-giving message of the gospel in the cold, dark, lifeless expanse of the universe.
We are all to be like that, says Paul. Throughout this week, we are to shine the light of Jesus Christ in the darkness as we "hold forth the word of life."
Are you actively involved in the daily gospel workout? I hope so. Don't miss the joy of the Christian life!