Philippians is short but rich!   In just four chapters, the imprisoned Apostle Paul is inspired by God to speak a great word of hope and encouragement.  Not that the epistle lacks a call to action—there are many commands that followers of Jesus are to obey.  But in his providence, the Lord helps us frame biblical commands in light of his own prior actions.  Consider three key passages:

I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (1:6).  God is at work in the lives of his people (corporately and individually).  His activity had a beginning and will come to its intended conclusion.  And all is at the Lord’s initiative—he began it, he finishes it.  Now, to be sure, this is not so we can flop on the couch and do nothing.  Later in the same chapter Paul will say:  Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ (1:27), so there is much to do.  But we can pursue that goal knowing that God will complete his work.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (2:12-13).  In this passage, the interplay of imperative (i.e., commands) and indicative (statements of fact) is spelled out clearly.  Note especially the little word “for”:  because God is at work within you and among us, we are able to do the tasks he puts before us.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own (3:12).  Here Paul shares his vigorous pursuit to draw ever nearer to Jesus, and yet as he does so he wants us to realize that the prior work of Christ makes it all possible (i.e., how Christ Jesus has first made us his own—loving, adopting, saving us forever! 

Thank God that, with our duty framed this way, we can be still, and our hearts can relax peacefully in the secure love of Jesus!