The Responsibilities of Believers

None of us who are saved in Christ came to Him by accident. Our salvation is the result of God’s grace and His eternal purpose. As Scripture declares in Ephesians 1:11, we were chosen and predestined according to the plan of God, who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.

[Ephesians 1:11 NIV] 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Many of us were born into non-Christian families, yet came to know Christ through someone God placed in our lives and eventually committed ourselves to Him. This, too, was not accidental—it was God’s design. Everyone whom God chooses is chosen with a purpose. In Christ, God has a specific plan for each of us, a plan rooted in His will.

God’s will is established in heaven, but He chooses to accomplish it on earth through people. He works through human lives to fulfil divine purposes. Like we have many needs for us to full fit, God has many needs for which he needs Believers like you and me. Yet, we often focus only on our needs and prayers, forgetting that God also desires to accomplish His plans through us.

This leads us to an important question: as believers in Christ, what is our responsibility?

In Philippians chapter 1 to 2, Paul offers deep insight into what it truly means to live as a believer in Christ. From the very opening of the letter, he reminds us that our salvation is not only about forgiveness—it is about transformation.

1. Saved in Christ to Become Holy

Paul begins his letter with these words:

[Philippians 1:1-2 NIV] 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• One of the most common misconceptions among believers is the idea that holiness is meant only for angels, pastors, or full-time ministers. We often think of holiness as an “above-average” spiritual state—something admirable, but not realistic for ordinary Christians. For a long time, many of us (Including me) have quietly accepted this misunderstanding and allowed it to become our norm. Scripture, however, presents a very different picture.

• Holiness is not reserved for a special group of believers; it is the calling of every Christian from the moment they place their faith in Christ. Paul consistently addresses ordinary church members as “holy people” in all his letters:

  • [Philippians 1:1 NIV] 1 .. To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

  • [Ephesians 1:1 NIV] 1 …, To God's holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

  • [Colossians 1:2 NIV] 2 To God's holy people in Colossae, ..

  • [1 Corinthians 1:2 NIV] 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, ..

• This language is intentional. Paul understood that salvation and holiness are inseparable. When accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we are not merely saved from sin—we are saved to live a holy life.

• The Christian journey is like climbing a holy hill. We may not reach the summit on the first day, and we may still be climbing even after many years, but the direction of our life must always be upward. [Psalm 24:3 NIV] 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?'

• We must continually remind ourselves that holiness is not abnormal or unrealistic. It is God’s purpose for us. [2 Timothy 1:9 NIV] 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

• For this transformation to take place, the old sinful nature must be put to death, and the new life in Christ must be embraced. [2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV] 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

• When we say that holiness is for others and not for ourselves, we diminish the power of the Cross. Jesus did not die merely to forgive our sins; He died to free us from slavery to sin and to empower us to live righteously. Read [Romans 6:6-7, 12-13 NIV]

• To live in Christ is to live transformed. Holiness is not optional, nor is it exceptional—it is the normal life of every believer who has truly encountered the grace of God.

2.        Remember the Church Body of Christ

• We are the body of Christ, and as such, we are called to remember one another as the Church of Christ. This remembrance is not selective—it includes all believers, everyone who walks with us in faith. Together, we form one body, and remembering one another is part of our calling as believers.

• Too often, we think of the Church only as a place we visit. We attend a service, leave, and rarely think beyond those walls. But the Church is not merely a building or an event; it is the living body of Christ. As believers, we are called to pray for the Church, because God chooses to accomplish His purposes on earth through His Church.

• Paul expresses this heart clearly in his letter to the Philippians:  [Philippians 1:3 NIV] 3 I thank my God every time I remember you.

• Remembering the Church in prayer is not optional—it is a vital expression of our unity and our participation in God’s work on earth. [Philippians 1:4-5 NIV] 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

• Christian prayer is not meant to be self-centred. We are called to pray not only for ourselves, but first and foremost for one another. This highlights the importance of intercessory prayer—standing before God on behalf of fellow believers.

• And how should we pray? Not out of compulsion or pressure, but with joy (Philippians 1:4). Our joy comes from knowing that we belong to the same body of Christ and are partners together in the work of the gospel.

How Should We Pray for Other Believers?  (Intercessory Prayer)

[Philippians 1:9-11 NIV] 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

• That their love may abound more and more in Christ

• That they grow in the knowledge of Christ

• That they develop spiritual depth and insight

• That they gain discernment to choose what is best

• That they live in holiness, being pure and blameless

• That they are filled with the fruit of righteousness through Jesus Christ [Galatians 5:22-23 NIV] 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

• That all of this results in glory and praise to God

3.        Obedience in the Unseen Moments

[Philippians 2:12 NIV] 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,

• Paul reminds the believers that true obedience is revealed not when others are watching, but when no one is present:

• Our obedience should not depend on visibility or approval from others. Even when human eyes are absent, our heavenly Father is always watching. Faithful obedience flows from reverence for God, not from the presence of people.

4.        Working Out Our Salvation

• Paul continues by urging believers to [Philippians 2:12 NIV] 12b. ..continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

• Salvation in Christ is the entrance into eternal life, but it must be lived out daily through obedience, faith, and godly action.

• This does not mean earning salvation, but living in reverent dependence on God—allowing His salvation to shape our deeds, choices, and witness. As we grow in Christ, we also participate in His work of bringing others out of bondage and into freedom.

• Paul Reminds us we are ambassadors in Chains in Christ - [Ephesians 6:20 NIV] 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

• As you Grow in Salvation remember, Chain has two ends

  • Our deeds must reflect Christ in what we learn

  • Our actions must reflect Christ in every way we learn

5.        Living Out God’s Purpose

Every believer is called into God’s kingdom with a purpose. Scripture reminds us:

[Philippians 2:13 NIV] 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

God not only gives us a calling, but He also works within us to accomplish it. Our responsibility is to seek His will daily and willingly submit ourselves to be used for His good purposes.

6.        Serving Without Grumbling or Complaining

Paul gives a simple yet challenging instruction:

[Philippians 2:14 NIV] 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

Our service to God should be marked by gratitude, not complaint. Obedience loses its beauty when it is accompanied by a grumbling heart. When God calls us to act, we are invited to trust and obey—without resistance or argument.

7.        Holding Firm to the Word of Life

Believers are called to hold tightly to the gospel—the Word of Life:

 [Philippians 2:16 NIV] 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour in vain.

This Word is Christ Himself—the message of eternal life and salvation. When we remain anchored in the gospel, our lives are not lived in vain. We run with purpose, faithfulness, and confidence that our labour in the Lord is meaningful and eternal.

Summary – Living Out Our Responsibility in Christ

Our salvation in Christ is not an accident—it is the result of God’s eternal plan and grace. Chosen according to His will, each of us is called not only to believe, but to live a transformed life that reflects Christ on earth.

Through Philippians, Paul reminds us that believers are saved to become holy, not as an exception, but as the normal Christian life. Holiness is inseparable from salvation, and it is worked out daily as we put off the old self and live in obedience to Christ.

As the body of Christ, we are called to remember and pray for one another, not out of obligation, but with joy. Intercessory prayer reflects our unity and partnership in the gospel, focusing on spiritual growth, holiness, discernment, and fruitfulness that bring glory to God.

True Christian living is marked by obedience in unseen moments, a life that honours God even when no one else is watching. We are called to work out our salvation with reverent fear—not to earn it, but to live it out through faithful deeds and Christlike actions, remembering that we are ambassadors in chains for Him.

God has called each believer with a purpose, and He Himself works within us to accomplish that purpose. Our role is to submit daily to His will, serve without grumbling, and hold firmly to the Word of Life, the gospel that gives eternal meaning to our labour.