Read: Philippians 1:6, 2:12-13

It matters that the work God is doing in you is his initiative, his project. Let’s read that verse again:

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6

Notice who began the work and whose work he is continuing to do. This verse, in the original language, is written in active passive voice. I am not a language scholar, but it means that someone (God) is actively working while someone (you) is passively receiving the benefits of the work. It’s like being at the dentist. The dentist actively fills your cavity while you passively receive the work being done.

So what is our part? The dentist can’t do his part if you don’t come to his office and sit in his chair. It’s kind of like that. Check out the verses in chapter two.

Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Philippians 2:12-13

Our part is to obey! Even the desire, no matter how small, is from him. And then he goes above and beyond and also endows us with the power to do what pleases him.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t have the desire so I don’t think there’s any power there!” Well, it might be that you have shut off the voice inside that talks to you about godly things. And the desire is so hidden behind boxes and rubbish that it’s hard to find.

The starting place may be developing reverence and fear (awe and respect, not terror) for God again so that the desires he places within you can come to the surface.

So what matters? It matters that the work of salvation is God’s work and he will do it until it’s done. I need to show up, willing to obey. Then he equips me by giving me not only the desire to do what he asks, but the power to do it as well.

And that seems like a pretty good deal!