The half-truth of “God helps those who help themselves” is that our willingness to put forth effort is a key part of almost any growth or progress in our lives. It is, however, quite wrong to suggest that God only acts in response to our effort. In fact, even as he urged the Philippian Christians to “carry out your own salvation,” Paul reminded them that “God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes” (verse 13).

• Scholar William Barclay wrote, “The word he uses for [carry out] is katergazesthai, which always has the idea of bringing to completion. It is as if Paul says: ‘Don’t stop halfway; go on until the work of salvation is fully wrought out in you.’” In what parts of your life can you sense that the work of salvation may still be somewhat incomplete? How can you seriously open yourself to God’s power to complete that work in your life?
• Barclay noted that verse 13 twice used the Greek verb energein to talk about what God does for us, before we ever do anything for God. (You recognize the root of our word “energy.”) Do you find it a challenge to believe that God has given you the spiritual energy to accept salvation and live out God’s purposes? In what ways have you sensed God drawing you to a new way of life, and energizing you for that life?