“Work Out Your Salvation”

“Whoever Believes…” p. 94

Whenever most Christians see the word “work” we tend to think “effort, energy, diligence, will-power, etc…” So when the apostle is inspired to commend the Philippians (and us! 2:12-13) to “work out” their salvation, we tend to read: “apply energy and effort” at doing something. In this case, that something is salvation. In short… doing something that proves we are saved.

This can lead us down the path of continually trying to do things for God which might often have little to do with what God desires to do (but more with what we think pleases God). We see this problem illustrated so vividly, and profoundly, in Jesus’ words in Matthew 7…

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’” (Mt. 7:21-23)

In these frighteningly poignant words, Jesus brings us to the stark contrast of things done for God (what we initiate) vs. things done in God’s will (what God initiates) – and the reality of which of these works truly pleases the King.

The essence of our salvation is that God lives in us and works through us. This requires that we listen for God’s leading, and heed His desires. We don’t just do “godly” things that we think will please Him – we do what the King directs. This was our Lord’s pattern of operation (John 5:19, 30; 6:38) – and it must be ours as well. Jesus sought out the Father’s will and did (only!) the Father’s will.

This is the substance behind what the apostle was commending the Philippians to do… “work out your (pl.) salvation” meant that they were to diligently live their lives by what that salvation had brought to them – the King of the Universe living in them and willing and working through them.

That is why this “working out” has to come with “fear and trembling.” We need to approach what God has done for us (our salvation!) with the utmost respect and reverence. After all, we are the chosen vessels of the King of the universe – Who has chosen to make His home within us. We should treat such an honored and all-important Guest with our utmost hospitality, bending all our own wishes and desires to whatever He wants to do.

The apostle’s point is that we must intentionally order every moment of our lives by our live-in Guest’s every desire. This is truly what honors and pleases Him… when we live our lives so that He might display Himself (His character, His grace, His goodness) through those He indwells.