Key Verse: “Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13 CSB)
In the preceding verses, Paul beautifully described the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Though Jesus is God, He humbled himself by becoming part of His own creation. In his selflessness and love, He chose, for the sake of you and me, to suffer and die on the Cross, so that we could come to know God through faith in Him.
In light of this incredible gospel reality, the Apostle Paul calls us to respond to all that Jesus has done. “Therefore, my dear friends,” Paul wrote, “just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (v.12).
What is Paul talking about here? What does it mean work out our own salvation? To be clear, Paul is not talking about a works-based salvation. He is not suggesting that we can earn enough favour with God through what we do. Paul wrote elsewhere, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of work, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is not about what we do, but rather what Jesus Christ has done for us.
So what is Paul referring to here? What is he driving at when he calls us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”? It’s a reference to sanctification. It’s a call to the lifelong journey of becoming more and more like Jesus and following in His steps.
Following Jesus is more than just praying a prayer, walking an aisle or making a speech in a baptism tank. Those who have been truly saved by God will spend the rest of their lives seeking to align their life fully with all that Jesus is and calls us to be. As a Christ-follower, your job is be diligent in your own obedience to God, just as Jesus was diligent to do all that the Father had for Him.
Are you working out your salvation with fear and trembling? Following Jesus is serious business. There is no room for complacency or passivity. No matter where you’re at in the journey today, don’t take your foot off the gas pedal and lose momentum in your pursuit of following Him. Ensure that you are following His example of selfless love and humility. Continue to press on, to persevere in making every effort to grow in your faith and to train yourself in godliness (1 Timothy 4:7).
As you do, remember though, it’s ultimately not on you. Paul wrote, “For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to His good purpose” (v.13). You don’t have to do it on your own. God is the one who is at work in you through His Holy Spirit to accomplish all that He desires to do in you. Lean on His power today as your work out your salvation.
Prayer: Jesus, I thank you today for my salvation. Thank you for all that you have accomplished for me. In response, help me to work out that salvation with fear and trembling. Empower me by your Spirit to obey you more and more. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
