Have you ever seen one of those Television programs where a person who is generally thought to be unattractive is given a complete make-over? Before-hand, the person sees themselves as ugly, the person sees themselves as unappealing, they can’t even smile when thinking of themselves… then they have their make-over… afterwards their attitude complete changes, now they are grinning ear-to-ear, they see themselves as beautiful, they have self-esteem, their entire world has changed. It would be very strange for such a person after having received such a make-over to still regard themselves as ugly and unattractive, wouldn’t it?
Well, likewise, we as believers in Christ Jesus have received much more than a simple make-over. We have received a new nature that begins on the inside, and reaches the outside as well. Just as with the example of the person who received the television make-over, it would be just as strange for a believer in Christ, who has received an entire new nature and is a new creation to still see themselves as ugly and unattractive spiritually to God, after receiving such a divine change from the inside and on the outside as well, but many Christians are doing that very thing.
What I want to share with you today in this study, is what the Bible says about the new identity, the new nature, the new creation that you are, who performed it for you, and what your view and attitude of it should be. By seeing this truth, you will have a new appreciation for the finished work of Christ, and who you really are in Him today.
The first scripture for us to look at today, is one which is often misapplied and misunderstood: Philippians 2:12:
“Why, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Now as I stated, this verse is very often used and quite frankly abused to mean something that it does not mean. This verse is not saying that we must work for our salvation. The phrase “work out” is a hint at what this really means. It means to bring forth or to present outwardly what is already on the inside. This is speaking about something that is already on the inside of you, and having it manifest on the outside.
We cannot stop here however, because this verse does not exist in isolation. Many people act as if this this verse is an island unto itself. Many pastors preach it that way, however as we continue onto verse 13, we see something very enlightening:
“For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
So, we see who the agent of this work is… it is God. He is the one working on the inside of you, both giving you the will (the desire), and the action of His good pleasure. So if God is the one who is working, what then is your part in this? You see, only after reading in context can we truly begin to understand verse 12 above. Your part in this is to present yourself.
The phrase work out here in Greek, means in-essence, to “render yourself fit for the purpose”. And Paul uses this same phrasing repeatedly in his letters to mean the same thing. Now here is the question: how do we render ourselves fit for the purposes of God?
This is the foundation question. And many people have different opinions on this, so to help make it clear that me once again bring your remembrance back to our example of the television make-over. What did that person who received the make-over do in order to receive the make-over?
In the simplest terms, the person consented to receive and believed that it was true, otherwise the person wouldn’t have showed-up at the studio.
The person didn’t try to give themselves the make-over by their own strength… that would be utter foolishness, just as it is for believers to try and clean themselves up before coming to the One who cleans them.
This is contained in the single word of believe. Which is a verb in your Bible. Your belief is your action… and it shows your consent.
That is it. And that is the consistent message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the entirety of scripture.
When the people ask Jesus what works that God requires in John 6:28, Jesus responds in the next verse by saying that there is one singular work that God requires: belief on Him. Jesus Himself calls belief a work, and the one single work that God requires. Jesus had an open-door and a willing audience to say anything here and lay down all kinds of requirements and laws… yet He simply said “Believe”.
When the keeper of the prison asked what he must do to be saved in Acts 16:30, Paul likewise had a wide-open door to preach laws and rules, but in the next verse he simply says “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved – you and your household.”
Now I want to point out, that this believing is personal. This goes to the heart of everything. Many do not see it as a personal thing, but it is much like our make-over example; it is about how you see yourself, specifically as being in Christ. This is not just my idea or opinion; it is spelled-out in scripture. In-fact this is the real meaning of Romans 6:11-13:
“Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.”
A lot of people are actually afraid to look at these verses. They try to avoid them because they have been beaten-down by legalistic preachers for so many years… and that is tragic. So let me just say that we should have more trust in the character of God than that. God wrote these words, and God is love, and light and grace and truth. We should never be afraid to look at any verse of scripture because it is all about Jesus!
Look at what these verses are saying; take a fresh look apart from man-made theology and doctrine. Starting at verse 11 it says: Likewise (In the same manner as the death and resurrection of Christ mentioned in the preceding verses of chapter 6) reckon (or account) yourself dead indeed to sin (noun). So it is telling you to start seeing yourself as dead to the very place, position and identity of sin to the same degree that Christ Himself died on the cross! That is a very powerful statement! And not only that but we are to just as completely see our new selves as alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Do you see it? The agent of this new identity, the reason why this is true and not just positive thinking, is completely wrapped-up in the sacrificial atonement of Jesus on the cross. It is all about His finished work and what He has done, and who you are in Him.
Verses 12 and 13 go on to say, let not sin (noun again) therefore… so the reason for this is again because of what we have read, in the previous verse, the atoning sacrifice of Jesus and our new identity in Him. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
And it should be noted that the word “yield” used in these verses, means “to present” So let’s again take an honest look at what these verses are saying, in the light of Christ apart from man-made theology.
Do not present the members (or parts) of your body as instruments of unrighteousness. Again remembering that this is talking about the noun of sin – the place, position and identity of sin – it is saying stop seeing yourself, stop reckoning yourself, stop accounting yourself as a sinful, unrighteous person! I can’t even begin to tell you how many “believers” that I talk to who still consider themselves as unrighteous, dirty, rotten no-good sinners; who still think God is displeased and unhappy with them. I just flat-out tell them now that perhaps they should receive Jesus!
Well then, how should we see ourselves? Look at the rest of verse 13: but yield (or present) yourself to God, in what way? As those who are alive from the dead, and the parts of your body as instruments of righteousness to God.
That is how you should see yourself. Not as dirty, but as clean. Not as unrighteous, but as righteous. You see, you are on the other-side of the cross now. Jesus finished His sacrifice, He did the work, and He gave you His righteousness. For you to still see yourself as unrighteous, you would need to deny the reality of His finished work. I would highly recommend that you simply graciously receive what He graciously gave. And instead of using human reasoning to try and talk yourself out of His free gift for you, simply say “Thank you.”
Look at verse 14:
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.”
The finished work of Christ, which ushered us into the new covenant and gave you this new identity in Him, is the reason why the total effect and mark of sin does not define you anymore. Even the very essence of sin has no dominion, no rule, no place in or over you any longer. Now thank God for it. You are free! Acknowledge the finished work of Jesus in you, and live in that place every day!