Work out your own salvation (1)

Dearly beloved, I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. We thank God for our salvation. We thank God because we belong to Him. However, we find Paul encouraging that there is a work to accompany this salvation. Philippians 2v12 (KJV) says “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 AMPC puts it this way “ 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).” Paul himself in 1 Corinthians 9v27 (KJV) had communicated that  “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

 

I am reminded of 2 Peter 1v5-12 (TLB) which says “But to obtain these gifts, you need more than faith; you must also work hard to be good, and even that is not enough. For then you must learn to know God better and discover what he wants you to do. Next, learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have his way with you. This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to love them deeply. The more you go on in this way, the more you will grow strong spiritually and become fruitful and useful to our Lord Jesus Christ. But anyone who fails to go after these additions to faith is blind indeed, or at least very shortsighted and has forgotten that God delivered him from the old life of sin so that now he can live a strong, good life for the Lord. So, dear brothers, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen, and then you will never stumble or fall away. And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Amen.

 

Prayer

Father, we thank You so much for this day. We thank You for the salvation of our souls, and how we should keep working to show the fruits of that salvation. We thank You because You give us the willingness and ability to please You. May we always be encouraged to stay the course and stay with You forever. We say come Lord Jesus come. Help us to be Your ambassadors, declaring the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection and the invitation to sonship in Jesus name, amen.