The paradox of cooperation ∙∙

The paradox of cooperation ∙∙

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling – Philippians 2:12

Hebrews 13:20-21

 20 Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood –

 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

A Des Moines-based medium-sized business encountered challenges completing its projects on time. After careful assessment, the management determined that the responsibility rested primarily with the managers themselves. From them, it just trickled down to many of their employees. The workers seemed to be slacking off, huddled in little groups talking to each other and consuming extraordinary amounts of time with their cell phones. They were not getting the job done!

To address this situation, the management opted for a motivational approach infused with humor rather than resorting to disciplinary measures. They took the initiative to display a notice on the employee bulletin board, which contained the following message:

“It has come to the attention of management that some of its employees apparently are dying on the job but failing to fall down. It has become impossible to distinguish between those that are dead and those that are still alive. This practice must stop. Therefore, any employee found dead in the upright position will immediately be terminated and dropped from the payroll.”

Good leaders and managers take responsibility for both good and bad outcomes. They establish realistic goals and serve as role models for their teams. They ensure that all necessary resources are available to accomplish the assigned tasks. They work side by side with their employees, offering support and motivation. When the situation calls for it, they willingly engage in hands-on work themselves. This is precisely what the Father has done.

Philippians 2:12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

The Father has provided the same for His children. He sets goals and enables His children to achieve them. “Salvation” is not only something they receive; it is something they do” (Fee). Paul reveals an amazing paradox regarding how we cooperate with the Father in achieving the results He intends: we are to work out our own salvation. “Nowhere in the New Testament is the work of salvation more succinctly stated” (Barclay).

As a result of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have graciously been saved. Each child of the King has been given their “own salvation.” We must strive to work it out by cooperating with the Father.

The Greek word translated as work is katergazesthai. Katergazesthai comes from two Greek words, kata, a preposition typically meaning down. It is used to intensify the verb. The other Greek word is ergazomai, to work, perform, do, or accomplish. Thus, katergazesthai means to put something into effect entirely or thoroughly or to bring it to completion.

Paul is speaking as an athletic coach or military leader would today. He is telling the children of the King to get the job done. Give it their all. Give it their best. Do not leave anything out on the field. When they are done, all of their energy and strength should be expended.

What a paradox. As children of the King, we are commanded to do what the Father Himself is actively working within us to accomplish.  We are commanded to collaborate with the Father, who works within us. He motivates us and empowers us. What a delightful and extraordinary paradox indeed!

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father has a unique and distinctive purpose for every child of the King to fulfill. Each child of the King is cherished, unique, and special in their own way.

Father thank You that You inspire and motivate us to do Your will. And then You empower me to do it. Father, help me to learn how to cooperate with You to get the job done.

INSIGHT

The Father provides the motivation, and the desire, to get the job done, and then He also works within us to give us the ability to carry it out. Putting it in other terms, when we acknowledge the Father’s presence and work within us, His actions and initiatives should inspire us to actively fulfill His purpose and bring Him joy (UBS).

Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Each child of the King has the same responsibility, to do what pleases Him.

He mysteriously and marvelously works within our hearts to cause us to want to do what He wants us to do. His initiative and work within us provide the incentive to desire and do His will.

The Greek verb rendered as working is energeo. Energeo means to be at work, active, and get the job done. The English word energy comes from this term. “There are two significant things about it; it is always used for the action of God, and it is always used for effective action. God’s action cannot be frustrated, nor can it remain half-finished; it must be fully effective” (Barclay). The Greek verb here is a present participle that connotes continuous action. The Father is always at work and never stops. He is in us, always working to cause us to be willing (UBS).

The Father effectively works in each of His children so that His desire becomes our desire. And with the desire comes the ability. The Greek phrase could be translated as “both to will and to work in behalf of the good pleasure” (UBS).

Here then, is the paradox of cooperation. “God must work in us before He can work through us” (Wiersbe).

There are two sides to getting the job done. We are to work hard to show the results of our salvation, obeying the Father with deep reverence and awe. While at the same time, the Father is working in us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him (Osborne).

The Scriptures are replete with examples of this very thing.

For example, the Father invested forty years in preparing Moses to fulfill his role as a leader for the people of Israel. Throughout those forty years, while Moses tended to sheep, the Father was actively shaping and molding him so that one day He might work through him. The Father is more interested in the workman than in the work.  The Father’s primary focus lies in the character and development of the individual rather than solely on the task at hand. If the workman is what he ought to be, the work will be what it ought to be.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 4-26-1

© Dr. H 2023