Becoming More Like Jesus: Reflections on Phil. 2Paraugs

Being and Doing

(Philippians 2:12b-13)

Life with Christ must lead to life for Christ. Though scripture encourages us to rest in God and to commune with God, it just as often charges us to work for him.

This duality of being and doing is at the heart of discipleship. It is at the heart of Christ himself who as God came to earth to do the task set before him.

We who follow Jesus must do the same: we must be his people who do the tasks set before us.

The joy and wonder of God is that he himself makes this possible.

As Paul writes:

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to work for his good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)

The word is energeo (ἐνεργέω) - to be operative, to be at work, to put forth power, to effect, to act.

Our actions and our work flow from the actions and work of God in our lives.

God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us (1 Corinthians 12:6).

The Spirit works different giftings in each of us (1 Corinthians 12:11).

We (plural) are God’s masterpiece (collective singular), recreated in Jesus for good acts/works planned for us (Eph. 2:10).

The important thing is faith working/enacting itself in love (Gal. 5:6).

God works things according to his will and plan (Eph. 1:11).

Our being and our doing go hand in hand.

Our worship and our work flow together.

Our adoration and our actions join as one.

In Christ, the fullness of who we are and how we live are beautifully integrated so that we can be both whole and holy.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

REFLECTION

Copy out Philippians 2:12b-13 for yourself.

How do you experience the challenge of being vs. doing?

Is there tension for you between good works and good work?

How will you live an integrated life of being and acting?

Explore other resources from Young Life Discipleship including more Bible App reading plans.