WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

The Philippian brethren are commended by Paul for their readiness to obey God's word. They had eagerly received Paul's teaching both as he preached to them in their presence, as well as through letters of instruction and admonition in his absence. Considering their earnest desire to know, and obey, the word of God, Paul tells them to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. This inspired statement from the apostle Paul is the word of God. To work out your own salvation, then, is not only a plea from Paul, not only a mere recommendation, but it is required by God.

Our salvation is not the responsibility of anyone else. Neither will God intervene and impose salvation upon us. As a matter of fact, no one else can secure salvation for us without our own diligent effort. It requires our personal desire, and conscientious effort, to attain salvation. It is a personal endeavor; a personal goal. If someone is in danger of drowning they most certainly have a personal interest in being saved. To prevent drowning requires one's own effort. Even if another tosses you a life jacket or float, you must have the desire and energy to put on, or hold on to, the saving device in order to reach safety. So it is with spiritual salvation - one must, as Paul writes, work out your own salvation.

Paul not only tells us that salvation demands work on our part, but he tells us to what degree we are to work at securing it - with fear and trembling. Do you fear your own birth or attaining your present age? The obvious answer is no! One doesn't fear things that have already taken place. Neither does one fear losing a thing that could probably never be achieved, such as being president of the United States of America. Nor does one fear losing something that has little or no value. There is no fear in losing expired store coupons or a pair of worn out shoes. Also, there is no fear in losing something that can never be lost. What need would there be for fear if salvation were assured? However, eternal salvation has not already taken place, it can be achieved, it is the greatest reward that could ever be attained, and it can be lost. Therefore, the very thought of falling short of eternal salvation should strike, within us, fear and trembling. This is exactly what the writer of Hebrews tells each of us:Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest (eternal salvation), any of you should seem to come short of it (Heb. 4:1).

Since we have such a deep personal interest in eternal salvation, since it has such a great value, and since it can only be attained by our own effort of living a righteous life, it is extremely important that we know how to work out our own salvation. In Hebrews 5, verse 9 we understand that Jesus is the Author of eternal salvation. And He has made available unto all them that obey Him. Then it is safe to say that working out our own salvation can only be attained by obedience to the will of Jesus. If we obey the commandments of God brought to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, we can secure the hope of eternal salvation.

Where can we find salvation and how can it be attained? First of all, salvation is found in God's love for us through His Son. We are assured of this by from the lesson found in Paul's letter to the Christians at Rome. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Rom. 5:8-10). Sin separates one from God. Only through the atonement for one's sins can a person be reconciled to God. This can take place only by being justified by His blood.The act of being baptized into Jesus Christ, allows us to come into contact with the atoning blood that He shed at His crucifixion death on the cross of Calvary.

Being born again is vividly illustrated to Nicodemus by Jesus, as well as to all readers of the gospel of John 3:3-8. Notice this passage within that text. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (Vs. 3:5). God's love provided the hope of eternal salvation to all that believe in His Son, Jesus Christ - a belief that results in baptism into His body, and followed by a faithful obedient life thereafter, to the will of God. And this is the will of God - Work Out Your Own Salvation! Indeed, one must work to achieve salvation, but what a wonderful labor of love.