نص

A pastor who grew up as a missionary kid in Africa wrote about a trip he took with his brothers to the western edge of Zimbabwe. They planned to go white-water rafting on the Zambezi River, at the base of Victoria Falls. 

The pastor wrote that as they sat on the edge of that eight-person raft, all suited up in tight life jackets and thick crash helmets, the guide gave them instructions.

“When the raft flips over . . .” There was no, “If the raft flips” . . . but “When the raft flips.” He went on, “. . . stay in the rough water. You will be tempted to swim toward the stagnant water at the edge of the banks. Don’t do it! Because it is in the stagnant water that the crocs [crocodiles] wait for you. Even when your raft flips, stay in the rough water.”[1]

That is a wonderful analogy for the Christian life. Stagnate waters can be deadly, even though we want out of the rough waters of tribulation or suffering. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he has already told his readers that God not only wants them to believe in Christ but also to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29). White water is God’s design to strengthen us and keep us dependent on Him, which protects us from spiritual enemies that are waiting in the calm and inviting water.

True Christianity often seems like getting on a raft and plunging into white-water rapids. God never promised us smooth sailing, but He did promise us a safe landing.[2]

We are now at Philippians 2:12, where Paul begins with the word “therefore.” Whenever you see a “therefore,” you need to ask what it is there for. Here it points us back to the suffering of Christ on our behalf. In light of Christ’s example, Paul tells us “therefore”—that is, “so then”—here is how we are to live today.

He writes in verse 12, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Notice Paul does not say, “Work for your salvation.” Salvation is a gift, but you need to let your world see your salvation at work. Paul is saying, “Let them see that your salvation does work, after all!”

The word Paul uses here and is translated “work out” literally means to “work on to the finish.” In other words, stay in the white water; do not decide to swim for the calm waters near the shore.

Instead, Paul says we need to have an attitude of “fear and trembling.” He is not saying to hang on for dear life but to simply recognize the danger and trust entirely in the Lord. You are not on that raft alone, beloved. As Paul writes in verse 13, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

And by the way, other believers are in there with you. Christianity is not a solo journey but a team effort.

Paul reminds us in verse 14, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” It is our sinful nature to quarrel with other believers.

He then writes that love and unity among us demonstrates that we are “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom [we] shine as lights in the world” (verse 15).

The word translated “blameless” refers to integrity, and “innocent” refers to moral purity. This is not how we become a Christian but how we should behave as Christians.

And if we do not? Well, Paul effectively says that we are going to dim the light of the gospel to our crooked generation. The word Paul uses for “crooked” is skolios, which gives us our word scoliosis—an infirmity that makes the spine crooked or curved. Paul uses the word here for our morally crooked world.

Fussing and fighting not only dims the light but also discredits the message. Paul says that our objective should instead be “holding fast to the word of life” (verse 16)—that is, the gospel. The gospel of Christ straightens out mixed-up lives. He forgives every sin and sets us on the straight and narrow path (Matthew 7:14).

Paul wants his ministry and their ministry to bear fruit. He states his desire in verse 16: “So that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Paul is not just trying to protect his ministry reputation; he wants to protect theirs.

He makes this interesting statement in verse 17: “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” In the Old Testament, when a drink offering was poured on a sacrifice, it burned off in a puff of sweet-smelling smoke and then was over. Paul is saying that he would be thrilled if he could be just that little wisp of smoke on their lives of commitment to God.   

Paul then refers to two men who were well known by the Philippian church. In verses 19-24, he gives the church a good report on Timothy. In verse 22 he describes Timothy as a man of “proven worth.” He had been faithful out there in the white water of life.

Paul wants to send Timothy to Philippi soon and for two reasons. First, he wants to get a report later from Timothy on how this church is doing (verse 19); and second, he wants Timothy to encourage this church to stay faithful (verse 20).

But first, Paul is sending Epaphroditus to them (verse 25). Epaphroditus was actually a member of this church in Philippi. He was the one who brought the church’s financial gift to Paul, and he will carry this letter back to the Philippian church. Paul explains in verse 27 that Epaphroditus had not returned sooner because he had become deathly ill:

Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.”

Even though he does not give any details, Paul goes on to write in verse 30, “[Epaphroditus] nearly died . . . risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”

How do you make an impact for Christ today? By some great act of faithfulness? Perhaps. But more than likely, it will be some small act of humility or graciousness to others.

Chuck Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship, was standing in a line of passengers at an airport in the country of Indonesia. The line was terribly long, and the airport was not air-conditioned. It was hot and exhausting. Chuck wrote that he was determined to not let his frustration get the best of him, so he spent his time talking with those around him and even laughing from time to time.

Two years later he received a letter from a businessman in Singapore. This man had been a follower of Confucius, but he used to send his children to a Sunday school nearby. One Sunday as he arrived, he heard the preacher refer to Chuck Colson's newest book entitled Born Again. On the cover was a picture of Chuck, and at the airport in Indonesia that day the businessman recognized him. He later wrote Chuck Colson, telling him, “I was so impressed by your demeanor and cheerfulness [that day in the airport] that . . . I purchased your book, I read it, and committed my life to Jesus Christ.”[3]

How do you shine the light in a confused world and win a follower of Confucius to Christ? It might be a simple demonstration of joy and graciousness and humility as you ride that raft through the white water of a long line in a distant airport on a hot afternoon.