PHILIPPIANS (11): Temples of the Living God (Philippians 2:5-16)

An overview of Philippians shows that each chapter reveals who Christ is to us: (1) Christ, our Life, (2) Christ, our Mind (Attitude), (3) Christ, our Goal and (4) Christ, our Strength. We see how the classic passage of Christ's humility (v5-11) is not just given to us as our example, but describes His loving pursuit of us, bringing about our salvation, so that we can become New Creations in Him, with Christ indwelling us, enabling us to have His mind and live like Him. Although we do not work FOR our salvation, we are to work OUT our salvation, in submission to His leadership and trusting in His grace. We are Temples of the Holy Spirit, and God wants to work in and through us to His glory. He works in us to desire and will His good pleasure, and He empowers us to fulfil His purposes. The first earthly Temple, the Garden of Eden, gives a vivid illustration of how God's Spirit wants to flow through us. God calls us to shine as lights in a dark world, holding forth His Word, with purified hearts and blameless lives.