PASSAGE:      PHILIPPIANS 2:12-15

TOPIC:           “EMPTYING THE VESSEL”

SUBJECT:      CONSECRATION

THEME:         SANCTIFICATION

“Transformation of character is to be the testimony to the world of the indwelling love of Christ”[1] We can tell that an apple tree is an apple tree before we actually see the blossoms, more so the fruit itself. Each Christian is a channel of love, filled with Christ. Our claim to be Christians is as a result of our relationship with God. So to really be a source of love we must make ourselves available to him, by emptying the vessels of our hearts.

“…Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling” v. 12

David McCullough in his book Mornings On Horseback tells this story about young Teddy Roosevelt: Mittie (his mother) had found he was so afraid of the Madison Square Church that he refused to set foot inside if alone. He was terrified, she discovered, of something called the "zeal." It was crouched in the dark corners of the church ready to jump at him, he said. When she asked what a zeal might be, he said he was not sure, but thought it was probably a large animal like an alligator or a dragon. He had heard the minister read about it from the Bible. Using a concordance, she read him those passages containing the word ZEAL until suddenly, very excited, he told her to stop. The line was from the Book of John, 2:17: "And his disciples remembered that it was written, 'The ZEAL of thine house hath eaten me up'" People are still justifiably afraid to come near the "zeal" of the Lord, for they are perfectly aware it could "eat them up" if they aren't one of His.[2]

Working out our own salvation does not mean that we will attain salvation by our own works: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13 What we need to do is to make the vessel available. Of course we are not automatons that operate without the freedom of choice or the propensity to deviate, but we are making a commitment, which is better understood in salvation terms as consecration. When our lives are consecrated to God, we depend on His grace to choose righteousness in every moment of decision. This way of thinking and living should envelope the life of the believer to the extent that there will be total surrender of will and purpose. According to Ellen G. White,

“Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; . . . it is walking by faith . . . it is relying on God with unques­tioning confidence, and resting in His love.”[3]

This point highlights the place of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies the believer, who is now set apart for holy use. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Yes it is the word of God, that has been “God-breathed” that makes the Christian holy. The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible writers; we conform to the word of God and hence submit to the Spirit. The Spirit would therefore maintain conformity to the earlier documented scriptures. What the scripture teaches is what the Holy Spirit highlights and endorses for our holy lives. Any position taken by an individual contrary to the word of God is working contrary to the Holy Spirit’s leading.  1 Corinthians 6:11 says, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

It is is sometimes thought about that there should be a fear of God’s power and righteous retribution however, the fear we must seek to possess is a

“Reverential fear of God as a controlling motive of the life in matters spiritual and moral…fear which banishes the terror that shrinks from His presence, and which influences the disposition and attitude of one whose circumstances are guided by trust in God” [4]

“Without murmuring and disputings” (vs. 14-15)

As we seek conformity to the Holy Spirit, we will recognize a transformation in the way we act and treat others. Paul appealed for unity and peace when he called them to do nothing in “murmurings and disputings”. The original words used suggest grumbling and altercations. The grumbling of the brethren in Philippi would often lead to disputes and fierce confrontations. Paul was made aware of constant discord “especially between two women members of the church”[5]. In addition to this discontent the members were also facing persecution. It is the devil’s intent that even while God’s people are suffering persecution that he would sow seeds of disunity to weaken the defenses of the brethren. If there is fighting within it will only take a time, if left unchecked, that the church would crumble. Mark 3:24 says, “And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” When we grumble and are always keen to cause strife and confrontations our actions will always cause undue hurt and pain to the members of the Body of Christ. The believer must endeavour to share their discomforts in a way that will not destroy the defense of other fellow believers. It is strongly implied from the trend of the use of “grumbling or murmuring” that, it is often done in secret. God’s people must be open and seek to share their concerns, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Col. 4:6.

“Blameless and harmless…in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (v.15)

In our effort to monitor our behaviour, we are also making an impact on the eyes of the nonbelievers looking on. It is a duty that is given to the beliver to make himself or herself available to the leading of the Holy Spirit, because we are channels of light and truth to the world. The world that we live in is sinful, crooked and twisted but our lives must be straight and plain for them to even be impressed by our profession. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” The darkness that is shadowing this earth must be illuminated by us whom God has called to be the light and the salt of the earth. What qualifies us as different is not our “church-like” appearance but our Christ-like character. It takes an emptying of self to attain this status. Whenever self is enthroned in the heart, Christ has no place, and the opposite is very much true: Christ exalted is self dethroned. This is how the vessel is emptied. We reconcile our hearts with God and let Him be enthroned; this is a daily work. When we are dependent on self we even sometimes assume that we are in-line and even ready for translation but there is a great danger in such thinking. Ellen White admonishes us in this regard, she says

Those who are rich and honorable in their own eyes do not ask in faith, and receive the blessing of God. They feel that they are full, therefore they go away empty. Those who know that they cannot possibly save themselves, or of themselves do any righteous action, are the ones who appreciate the help that Christ can bestow. They are the poor in spirit, whom He declares to be blessed.[6] 

CONCLUSION