The Apostle Paul, the former synagogue-appointed terrorist known as Saul of Tarsus, shares weighty truth with those who would take their salvation seriously. His call to "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," is in the context of shining as stars in a "crooked and depraved generation." (Philippians 2:12,14) One living in the United States today finds it easy to associate "crooked and depraved" with our culture. It may never have been easier to level criticism at political figures, employers and church leaders. Reports of compromised character, expressions of twisted values and stories of ordinary people flaunting violations of God’s law fill media reports.
To "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," Paul leaves three distinct prohibitions. Alas, the proscribed behaviors have been part on human spiritual DNA since the first residents of the Garden of Eden. And, I confess that they have been deeply imbedded in me and are highly resistant to change.
The first forbidden activity is complaining. "Do everything without complaining." (Philippians 2:14). It is simple to write and say, but can be as stubbornly rooted as my lawn’s ugliest weeds. Complaining is verbal reinforcement of what one doesn’t like or appreciate. We all experience negative events and occasionally we must deal with difficult people. But, complaining, reinforcing discontent violates God’s grace. I am challenged by Peter’s difficult counsel, "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." (1 Peter 2:13-15) Our reverent "fear and trembling" compliance to honor God’s appointees will contribute more good than complaining.
I can hear it already, "But, what if good men do nothing?" Prayer is an acceptable activity. Remember, When I work, I work. When I pray, God works! Complaining is the antithesis of grace, forgiveness and loving compliance to what God has ordained. As we pray and forgive criticisms are arrested in their tracks. As "fear and trembling" people work out their salvation without complaint, the grace of God is evident and their spirit becomes contagious among the "crooked and depraved."
Second, "Do everything without . . . arguing." Argumentative people suck life out of others. Some thrive on being right. I am sorry that I have imposed too much of my "rightness" on others, at the expense of a spirit of love, joy, and peace. Of course there is a corresponding side of every truth. Grace has aspects of generosity and justice, two sides of the same coin. Light is light as it is contrasted with darkness. Most often, we ought to allow the side being emphasized to exist without arguing. Another time, another venue will be afforded to present the needed balance . . . without arguing.
And, live "without fault." Faultfinding is the domain of those who have never tasted of the grace of God. Those who have known the forgiveness secured by Jesus, who have sampled the joys of heaven here on earth, who have a hope secured within the gates of heaven, ought to be applying every iota of energy to preparing a path for those who are vulnerable to criticism.
Pat and I discovered that some of our critical and faultfinding peers were contagious. If we spent too much time with them, we began seeing the faults to which our peers pointed more distinctly than the grace and mercies expressed in Jesus. We consciously moved away from some to keep our "fear and trembling" pursuit of salvation in focus. It is entirely possible that others who are well ahead of us in their pursuit of holy living have had to avoid us. When that is true, please forgive us. We are determined to be light in a dark generation, people of hope in places of despair, and those who live as ones who have experienced the cure for the crookedness and depravity too common in our world.
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