Philippians 2:13 13for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
This verse is closely linked to the previous one as a consequence, marked by for. The only reason we can work out our salvation is because God is already at work within us. We can live with victory in this life because of God’s grace. The word for works (energōn) used here is different from the one in verse 12, although they share the same root. God’s work is God’s “energy” that empowers our spiritual growth. This work is in you, in our minds and consciences from which we make our decisions. God does not do everything for us. We are not simply passive, and God does not overpower our free will. Rather, God invites us to respond to grace by our active faith. The Christian life can be summarized in one word: yes. We must simply say “yes” to what the Holy Spirit and the Word of God direct us. The Christian life is not difficult to understand but will require all of who we are.
What does God empower us to do? To will and to work. This involves decision and action. We must think and we must do. Our response to God’s grace begins in the mind and should be seen in our bodies. The Holy Spirit helps us with this. The church father, John Chrysostom wrote in his Homilies on Philippians 8.2.12-16 that God does not deprive us of free will but rather increases our willing. As we choose to follow God in obedience, we will want to be more obedient because God will fill us more with his presence and power. God’s invitation is, “Do you want more of me? Then follow me and I will give you more.” God puts desires into our hearts and gives us direction. The more time we spend with God, the more we grow in our awareness of what God wants to do in us.
Why does God do all this? For his good pleasure. God has a plan for each of us. At the center of this plan is to be remade in the likeness of Jesus Christ. God will have a different path for each of us as we strive to become more like Christ because each of us is unique. We may have different personalities and gifts, but we have the same goal.
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