And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Summary: Paul’s concern for his churches’ faithfulness invites deeper reflection on the nature of salvation.
Why would anyone in Paul’s line of work worry about the possibility they had run or labored “in vain?”
To review — let’s return to an earlier part of Paul’s letter. He writes:
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27)
All of his words between this verse and our passage for this meditation have to do with how to live a life that is worthy of the Gospel.
Why?
Could it be that our salvation depends in part on how we respond to the Gospel?
Many people subscribe to the teaching of “once saved, always saved.” Others believe that salvation refers to an event that we look forward to after the death of our bodies (Matthew 24:13).
In passages like Paul’s words above, he seems to be suggesting that how we conduct ourselves in this life has a bearing on our eternal salvation.
For example, in another letter, Paul writes:
”And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Jesus himself, speaking of his sheep, says:
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)
But, just before that, he says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
Jesus’ sheep listen to his voice and follow him. That is exactly what Paul is telling us to do. Salvation does not seem to depend on how well we follow, only that we follow (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).
Interestingly, both of these teachings about salvation can be true. They are not mutually exclusive. Paul’s “boasting” could be based on the quality of his converts, not the number of them. Jesus, himself, teaches us to store up “treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20), suggesting that salvation and rewards are two different things.
When it comes to deciding how serious we want to be about following Jesus, I suppose one could take the Dirty Harry approach and wake up each day asking the question, “Do I feel lucky?” On the other hand, as a believer in Christ Jesus, it might be better to ask the question, “Do I feel thankful?”
Application: Let us continue to work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
Food for Thought: What are some things we can do to help Paul be able to “boast” on the day of Christ?
What are some things we can do to help Paul be able to “boast” on the day of Christ?
Jesus did not point to Himself but taught others to seek the will of God and His righteousness over their own.
John 6:38, For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.
John 5:19, Jesus explained, ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.’
John 12:49, I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.
Paul did not point to himself but to Jesus and His work in each of us. Paul understood that the best possible thing about him was that Christ had rescued him. He understood that studying verses and learning rules was not a substitute for knowing and loving, serving his Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians. 10:17-18, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Our calling is to submit to and allow God to shape us into the servants He has predetermined we be, for the mission He determined prior to creation. In humility, serve and glorify Him to this world over ourselves.
1 Corinthians 11:1, Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Thank you, Ron.
I agree! “Our calling is to submit …”
Not because we are forced to, but out of gratitude and love.
Thank you! 🙂
What are some things we can do to help Paul be able to “boast” on the day of Christ?
Paul’s teachings centered on our redemption and transformation through Christ. He was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and he really “broke down” so many obstacles for us, presented the Gospel in a way that we could understand it superficially, and as we grew, in a more complex manner as the Spirit revealed Himself to us. I know Paul’s boasting will be in Christ, and I also believe that Paul will be credited for the impact his teaching had on us as we:
Live a life pleasing to God.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Build each other up.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Romans 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Proclaim the gospel.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
Philippians 2:11 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Thank you, Chris.
Well said!