By Pastor Joey

Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Philippians 2:12-13 AMP

First let me say that this verse does not teach that salvation is something that an unsaved person obtains by doing good works. The Scripture is very clear that salvation is not of works lest any man should boast, but by God’s grace through faith is the risen Lord Jesus. Salvation is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, but simply God’s mercy on us. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5). It is clear that the Apostle Paul’s exhortation here is to those who have already received the free gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore this letter can apply to us as believers today.

The words “work out” carry the same meaning as someone working out a mathematics equation. Working on that equation until you come to it’s final conclusion. “Your own Salvation,” is just that, you could say it this way, you must hoe your own garden. Notice Paul mentions that they are to do this much more when he was absent from them. It seems easier to work out our salvation when in the presence of a church leader or our pastor, their presence and teaching inspire us to grow. When on our own and no longer motivated by their presence or influence, it becomes completely our responsibility to grow in grace. The believer has their justification, glorification comes in eternity, and we are called to work out our own salvation to it’s ultimate goal, which is Christ-Likeness, with fear and trembling.

As believers we are called to will and do His good pleasure. The good news is we are not without the resources to fulfill this exhortation. In the text above, verse thirteen tells us that it is God dwelling in us by His Holy Spirit that produces in us the willingness and power to do His will. We need to come to the conclusion that it is required of the believer to go through and complete the process of sanctification, and that all the while it is God constantly working with us. We can clearly see in these two verses in Philippians 2 that we have a human responsibility and in verse thirteen we can see we have Divine power and enablement. It continues in verses 14-15 to do all things without complaining. Why? So that we may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

Be Blessed!

Pastor Joey D. Frechette