I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, (4) always in every prayer of mine making request for you with joy, (5) for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, (6) being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…(8) For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you with all the affection of Jesus Christ. (9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, (10) that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, (11) being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome facing possible execution. The letter is filled with joy because His focus was on God and not himself – specifically on what God was doing with the Philippians church. Paul makes the point that if there is evidence that God has begun the work of salvation in us we can be confident He will complete it. Genuine fellowship with the people of God is powerful proof of the reality of the gospel. This was certainly the experience of the early church in Philippi where the faithful were raised from spiritual death to life by God’s power. In verse 6 Paul teaches that no one whom God has brought to SAVING knowledge of Jesus Christ will ever be lost. Wow.

Scripture teaches salvation is entirely the work of God, not man. The true gospel is about our fundamental problem which is alienation from God arising from sin. Atonement has been made in Christ so that all who trust in Him are saved from God’s judgment. Salvation does not depend on us or any human decision – if that were true that decision could be reversed. The faithful are not saved so they can live happy self centered lives but to view and live all of life through the lens of the gospel. Faith is not the work of man. We are not to be passive but our assurance and confidence is not to be in ourselves or our works but ONLY in God who works in us. We are warned not to live by subjective/emotional feelings devoid of doctrine nor by doctrine denying biblical love. Paul prays for discerning love for the faithful in Philippi – not a feeling devoid of content but knowledge of God as revealed by Scripture. Faith does not abandon reason and discerning love leads to godly character.

Salvation is always accompanied by evidence and followed by sanctification or growth in holiness. The Spirit bears witness to this truth in the hearts of those drawn to God – apart from any human merit. Salvation is always and only of the Lord.