Knuckle ball theology

 March 26, 2021 (Friday)

 

In baseball, there is a pitch called the “knuckle ball.” It is thrown with the knuckles and not with the fingers. The movement and speed of the ball could literally be anything because the ball is not spinning. It also happens to be the most difficult pitch in baseball to hit and throw. The basic strategy of hitting the knuckle ball is, don’t swing!

 

Every now and then we encounter a theological knuckle ball. I would like to risk one today. After describing the example of Jesus, Paul tells the Philippian church, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” [Philippians 2:12:c ESV] What does he mean to “work out your salvation?” Please don’t ask. (joke)

 

If you are the kind of person who must know the EXACT meaning, grab a helmet and a flak jacket, we are going on a wild ride. If we were to take the Greek meaning, it means, “Work hard to show the results of your salvation” [NLT] OR “Keep on working to complete [Continue working out] your salvation.” [EXB]

 

The idea of “work out” is what is euphemistically called a “gloss.” That means translators put a superficial spin on the word (or phrase) to make it appear good or more palatable. I’m not going to get into the general reason for them, however, if Paul is telling them to “work to complete” (the gist of the Greek word) then our theology of grace is in danger.

 

 Seriously, how do we square this idea of “work to complete your salvation” with something like Galatians 3:3? “How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” [NLT] One of the pillars of Christian theology is the inability of the individual to save themselves.

 

Remember when discussing scripture to never remove an idea out of context. Philippians 2:13 continues, “God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes.” [CEB] Light bulb! Did one just click on? God is at work. God is the one who enables, works, and gives us power to even WANT to live out our faith. Wanting to is the beginning of actually living out our faith.

 

Paul goes on to advise the church, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent.” [Philippians 2:14 – 15a ESV] These are two faith killers. I’ve ridden the grumbling thing a few posts back, so let me dig into “disputing.” Ever notice how many of us seem to be itching for a fight? How many times does the “fight” reflex get triggered in your own life?

 

Along with living our faith out without dragging our feet (or someone else by the feet), Paul continues, “Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” [Philippians 2:15b NLT] The purpose of living out God’s good purposes is to be bright lights in a dark world. Is that cool?

 

You see, our salvation is to have practical purpose. The point of salvation is not to take up space in churches that are becoming more and more empty. We occupy those spaces for encouragement and training. It is God who puts in us the WILL and the WAY to live out our faith in this crooked and perverted world.

 

What does it look like when you “actually live out His good purposes?”