Philippians 2:12

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 ~ Philippians 2:12

We are to work out our salvation, not work for our salvation. What Paul means is that we must continue in obedience to Christ’s commands, that we die to self, that we become more like Him, that we let go of our carnal nature day by day as we die to it, day by day. It takes dedication and thought. I must put aside my center and place Jesus in the center of my life. All I do and say, in each way I behave and act, my life is centered on displaying Jesus to a broken world. I cannot emphasize enough how currently we have taken on more of the world’s attitudes than those of Christ. We must come before Him broken, humble, needing his help. This is the only way to work out our salvation. When we come with pride and rejoicing over our accomplishments, we have placed our lives above his work through us. We cannot boast about what we have done for others if our boasting is centered on our works. To work out our salvation means that we give over our desires to answer the call Jesus puts in our life, to follow him as he stretches us, to love as he always loves. Paul says we are to do this with fear and trembling, for we serve not a dead god, but a living God who is also an awesome God. We should tremble before him for his holiness shines a light on our weakness and sinfulness. We cannot stand in his presence! We are to fall on our knees before him, for salvation comes from him alone through the death of Jesus Christ! Be dedicated to the Lord alone, to his commands, to his mission, be a true disciple of Christ!

Pastor Julia

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