Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13 NIV
Some of us have misunderstood these words and have given ourselves or others a burden to carry that is wrong, actually backward from the way God works with us. Our salvation is not a challenge we need to work hard to get right, or we aren’t really “saved.” Our relationship with God is not something that should ever make us live in fear. Our salvation is not something we earn. It’s too precious – we never could. It is a gift of God through faith. When we believe in Jesus – we place our faith in Him and His sacrificial death and powerful resurrection for our salvation.
We don’t work FOR salvation. Paul is writing to people who have already put their faith in Jesus. They are saved, Jesus-followers. He’s telling them to “work OUT” their salvation – as in “get all the benefits from it that God has provided.” In a very simple, not nearly grand enough illustration, it’s a bit as if I was given a beautiful Steinway Model B grand piano, the most well-known and desirable piano for professional musicians looking for a high-quality instrument. It is perfectly tuned with perfect tone, beautiful ivory keys, and impeccable wood finish. My gift-giver made musical training available to me, anticipating that my life would get more and more enjoyable as I grew in my ability to make music. But I didn’t know how to play it and had no interest in taking lessons or practicing. I just enjoyed it as a centerpiece in my living room, and occasionally telling people about it. People were shocked when they discovered I had such a wonderful instrument but absolutely no interest in benefiting from it.
In a similar but much bigger way, God’s gift of salvation is intended to actively change our joy, purpose, and fulfillment in life. When we receive Christ as Savior, that is the beginning of the opportunity for transformation and new life in every arena. We have new power to learn and grow to become the person and live the life God designed for us to have. But we must pick up our responsibility with Him to work it out, to develop and become in order to experience it. And here’s the amazing part. God is so committed to us having that amazing life that He is not asking you to dredge up what you don’t have and perform what you can’t do. What He is saying is, “Be aware and be open and cooperate with what I’m doing. I’m working in you.” You will find Him supplying you with not just the desire but the energy and divine strength you didn’t have before.
- “Fear and trembling” is not being terrified of an angry God. It’s actually an ancient Hebrew phrase for being awed and overcome by God’s goodness. Rejoice!