In a recent conversation with a friend, I relayed that when I was younger, I thought that as believers when we worked at something – like not worrying – eventually we would actually not worry anymore. Or grumbling and complaining – we would never do that anymore. I look back and chuckle at this misconception of reaching perfection while here on this earth.
The truth of the matter is, we are continually working out our salvation. We believe in Jesus, receiving His gift of salvation, and we then live that out. “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
The Amplified version breaks it down like this: So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.
The great thing is, God doesn’t just give instructions (which are for our good and His glory) and then leave us on our own to figure it out. He teaches us how; He works in us. For instance, when He tells us to not worry and not be anxious, He also tells us to cast our cares on Him, for He cares for us. He knows we are going to worry, so He tells us what to do with it: give it to Him and trust Him (and we get better at giving it to Him more quickly). When He tells us to not grumble and complain, He also tells us to rejoice in the Lord always and to focus our minds on things that are true, right, pure, lovely. This all takes work on our part (work is a good thing!) that must be done with fear and trembling. If we don’t look to the Lord our God with fear and trembling, how seriously will we really be about laying down our cross and taking up His to follow Him?
Let us remember these truths from Solomon: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7), and from the Psalmist: “Your word [Lord] is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) These may be words of old, but the truths are very real and just as relevant today as they were back then. For the Lord never changes: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:7-8)
Exercising our faith and working out our salvation are required daily work outs. Just like physical exercise, they bring results when we work out faithfully. And we get to do this with God every day.
So believer, let’s press on and work it!