This section of the text begins with a "Therefore," so it is wise to consider what was covered earlier. Christ humbled himself, leaving the glory of heaven and becoming a man, suffering and dying out of love for us and obedience to the Father. For this reason, Christ was highly exalted and given a "name above every other name". What does this mean? For one, we know that there is no other name given for men's salvation (Acts 4:12). Contrary to today's popular "get-along" philosophy, all religions are not many different paths all leading to the same place. Jesus holds the preeminent position of being the only Redeemer through whom sinful man may be reconciled to God.
Verse 10 expands further on Christ's exaltation. At His name, every knee will bow. God calls all men to repent - every knee, as in the KJV, should bow to Christ. But the natural man is not reasonable, and refuses. Yet one day, every man shall. (Interestingly, this promise - that all shall bow to Him, is same thing that Satan tempted Christ with in the wilderness. Christ was offered the glory without the suffering, and turned it down.)
This exaltation is God's response to what Christ has done. What is our response?
First, to be obedient (v. 12). This is not a new obedience, Paul notes: "just as you have always obeyed" - continue in the obedience that has marked your life. We are called to "work out our salvation". This is OUR OWN salvation. The state of our own hearts must be a high priority for us. What does it mean to "work it out"? This means to spend our energies, our mental abilities, our love, exploring and enjoying the salvation that is ours.
What is salvation? If we think of salvation only as escape from sin, we have a very shallow view of it. What is eternal life? To know God. As we work out our salvation, we begin to understand how the attributes of God work out in our own lives. We take possession of and explore more fully the outworking of the spiritual realities that are in Christ. Martyn Lloyd-Jones referred to this as the romanticism of the Christian life, of asking God "What are you teaching me now, and how will it work out in my life?"
This salvation should be worked out "with fear and trembling". With a dread of God? With a concern that we will lose this salvation? No, we are instead to work this salvation out with sensitivity...
- to our own weakness. We are not self-sufficient and invincible. We fail and fall, and need constantly to call on God for help.
- to the power of temptation. The powers of darkness are real and are constantly tempting us to sin, to do things our way instead of God's way, relying on Him.
- to the possibility of offending God. We should be afraid of offending such a great God as we serve, concerned that sin might break our communion with Him and tarnish His name before unbelievers.
Verse 13 provides a great encouragement, on several fronts. First, it is God who is at work. He is the Master Workman, and He always accomplishes what He sets out to do. The outcome is guaranteed.
Secondly, He is at work in each of us. God isn't just at work in the super-Christians, or the extra-spiritual people, but rather He is at work in each of His children.
Furthermore, He is at work for us "both to will and to work". God first shows us what to do, then gives us a desire to do His will, then enables us to do it. It is all of grace; we claim no merit.
Finally, He is at work "for His good pleasure". It is a pleasure to God that we should enjoy him, know Him, and be used of Him. In another sense this means that we work as God is pleased for us to do so. He doesn't enable us to serve Him when we make enough progress, or when we show enough desire. Instead, He works freely and sovereignly according to His own choice and purposes.
We can rest and give thanks to God knowing that our salvation is all of Him. He gives faith, regenerates, and gives the Holy Spirit to enable us to serve Him. Why does He do all this for and in us? Because of His great love! Praise Him!
