(12) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
Paul really loves these brothers and sisters in Philippi. He encourages them to continue to follow the teachings he brought them from the Lord. He says that they followed his instructions while he was with them, and it's much more pressing now that they continue to obey since he's not with them.
work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
He's not saying to work "for" salvation, but to work "out" the salvation Christ won for them, and that the Father placed in them in His Holy Spirit. They are to work out in their lives what God has already put in them.
(13) for it is God
God is the one doing the work in us, it's not us; this is at His initiative, not ours.
who is at work in you,
He is doing something inside us.
both to will and to work
God puts both the "want to" into our minds and emotions for us to desire what He wants for us; then He also gives us the power, authority and ability to do the things He wants us to do, through His Spirit; things we could never accomplish on our own. He gives us the impossible dreams, then He enables us to accomplish them, in His strength, as His hands and feet. These are the plans He planned out for each of us, to accomplish His great Plan of the Ages.
For His good pleasure.
God is good, and how God planned and designed this Universe and this World to work is for our good. When He sees what He made operating well, that gives Him pleasure. When we do the things He planned for us to accomplish in His strength, then He is "having fun with His toy" (big boys have big toys), deriving pleasure, and we get the benefits.
It's so wonderful how God designed this Earth to function! When we follow His rules for living, the result is beneficial to us here in this life; and God will even reward us eternally for doing what He enables us to do here. He is such a Good God!
O my Father, You are such a wonderful God! You designed this whole universe to run smoothly, like a fine instrument. And Your Spirit is the oil that keeps it humming!
And You use our decisions to move along Your plans for each of us and for all of us. Even the horrible, sinful, evil things that rebels devise, You use for good. Father, the cleverness of Your wisdom is amazing! You have given us a will that is free to choose anything within the parameters You place upon us, so that there is nothing that we can do that will put You off Your game. You see to it that everything continually moves toward the conclusion that You have planned all along.
O Father, when Your Son returns, He will have a glorious time, defeating all the forces arrayed against Him, gaining the great victory over all! It will be magnificent!
And You have given to us, Your children, to reign with Him on His throne, as He reigns with You on Your throne.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim the lordship of Christ Jesus, as the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come mightily, Lord Jesus!
