Work Out Your Own Salvation

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)

There is a big push among us today to convince us that God requires nothing of us other than some profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and that all our sins are now forgiven, that heaven is guaranteed us when we die, and that it can’t be taken away from us, regardless of how we live (what we do). For they teach Scriptures out of context to try to make their case that God requires no works of us at all, but that he does everything for us. And so we can go on sinning deliberately and habitually and still go to heaven.

Is there any truth to what they are saying at all? Yes, but it is mixed in with lies, and it is distorted to make their case. And deliberate half-truths are still lies. But is it true that not one of us can be saved by our own human effort? Absolutely! Is it only by the grace of God, through God-gifted faith in Jesus Christ, that any of us can receive salvation from sin and eternal life with God? Yes! But “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” 

For Jesus Christ said that if anyone would come after him, he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to (save) our old lives of living in sin, we will lose them for eternity. But if for Jesus’ sake we deny self, die daily to sin, and follow him in obedience to his commands, then we have eternal life in him. And he said that not everyone saying to him, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God the Father in heaven.

It is not true, therefore, that no works are required of us by God. In fact, he will judge us by our works when he comes to judge and to take his faithful ones to be with him for eternity. “To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, ..but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good..”

Therefore, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” We are to “abound in every good work.” And we are to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..” And we are to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him; bearing fruit in every good work..” And we are to be “ready for every good work.” And we are to be “zealous for good works” as God’s possession. And we are to be careful to devote ourselves “to good works.” For faith without works is dead.

[Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Galatians 5:6; Colossians 1:9-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:21; Titus 2:11-14; Titus 3:8; James 2:17; John 15:1-11] 

So, we can’t just make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and then consider ourselves “saved, sanctified, forgiven, and going to heaven” if we are not walking in obedience to our Lord’s New Covenant Commandments, and if we are still making sin our practice, and if our works are those of the flesh which will end in death, and if they are not the works of the Spirit being lived out in our lives day by day, by the grace of God, in the power of God. For we have to forsake our sins and obey our Lord to have life in him.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,15-17; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2]

When in The Stillness  

An Original Work / September 26, 2011

When in the stillness of this moment,

Speak to me, Lord, I humbly pray.

Be my desire, set me on fire,

Teach me to love always.

Help me to walk in fellowship with You,

Listening to You; sit at Your feet.

Whisper Your words to me, 

Oh, how gently, guiding me in Your truth. 

While we are waiting for Your blessing,

Lord, in our hearts be King today.

Help us to live for you ev’ry moment,

List’ning to what You say.

May we not stray from your word within us,

Help us obey You, Lord, in all things,

Walking each moment, Lord, in Your presence,

Our offerings to You bring.

Help us to love You, Lord, our master;

Be an example of Your love,

Helping the hurting, lift up the fallen,

Showing them Your great love.

Teach them to love You, follow You always,

Bearing their cross and turning from sin;

Walking in daily fellowship with You,

Making You Lord and King.

https://vimeo.com/126984144