Who am I?

DEVOTION

PHILIPPIANS

WHO AM I?
Phil 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
NIV


I wonder how often I exhibit my best behavior when in the presence of fellow believers, putting on my best front, my most excellent facade in order to have everyone consider me as a “good Christian”. I wonder if I actually believe my salvation is dependent upon how others think of me. Or do I just have a certain level of pride not desiring anyone see me in a negative way. Do I truly believe if others really knew the truth about me, they would not fellowship with me? An old friend once told me the difference between a persons’ personality and his character is the personality is who I am in the presence of others and the character is who I am in the absence of others, when I am all alone.

Here Paul speaks to the character of these people, and God speaks to me regarding my character as well, not my personality. True, it is important to behave in such as manner as to reflect Christ to others. But this behavior should not be a false facade; it cannot stand the test of time, like so many facades which have been installed on old building to present a new and shiny appearance, the building within still continues to rot. I can see in this passage it is God who works in me, not on me. He does not construct something on the outside to make me look good to others, he renovates the inside first creating within me a new heart, and thus builds from the inside out, making the whole a new creation.

Now I am also responsible to continue in the walk, to continue to strive onward toward the goal. I am also to continue to live in such a manner as to reflect the grace of God to others. All this and more is implied in working out my salvation, and doing this with such an awesome concern of knowing the end of those who leave the path and return to the old ways. So I must continue to be open to his working in me, changing, building, renovating, renewing me, so I am who I am because of him.