WORK OUT YOUR
SALVATION
Php 2:12 “Wherefo,
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.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of
his good pleasure.”
All
right theologians, I know that he did not say work to be saved. Rather he said, "Work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling."
There is a vast difference here in the two thoughts. The challenge put forth here is to people who
have already been saved by the marvelous blood and grace of our Lord. It is work out
your own salvation. That is do something with that which you
already have. This, beloved, is
perseverance.
What is the culmination of this life?
Jesus has been exalted, and He has been given a name above every other
name. At this name of Jesus every knee
shall bow. That is every knee in heaven,
in the earth, and under the earth or in hell, every one of them shall bow the
knee and confess that Jesus is Lord. Not
only that but the full plan of salvation in all of its steps even to
glorification will be realized.
How is this (working out your salvation) to be accomplished? It is not by our striving even though we are
to strive. It is not sacrificing though
such life will meet with some sacrificing.
This working out your own salvation is not of the flesh. Paul said, in me that is in my flesh, there
dwells no good thing. We are not good
enough. We are not faithful enough. We don't even have the will to do it. We are in no way able to live this
persevering life in our selves. So how
do we accomplish it? Verse 13 tells us. "For it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Couple this with Php. 1:6, "Being confident
of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" In
this we are assured that His working in us to will and to do according to His
good pleasure will continue until the day of Jesus Christ or until Christ comes
again. Rejoice and strive.
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