stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 2:12)

I remember the first time I went to church camp as a kid.  My dad gave me a little speech before I left.  He said, “While you’re there, remember, you represent God’s, our church’s, and the Harrison name.”  He reminded me to act in a way that accurately represents those names.  He expected me to continue to work hard to express who I already was – a Christian who followed the Scriptures, a faithful church member who attended Oak Park Church, and a Harrison who acted in a way that displayed the values he had taught me.   

In Philippians 2:12, Paul tells those who have already trusted in Christ, the saints (Philippians 1:1), to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”  Working out your salvation does not mean working for your salvation.  Paul referred to salvation as something that happened in the past (Ephesians 2:8-9) and something that will be consummated in the future (Romans 13:11).  To “work out” their salvation (present tense) seems to mean grow and pursue the potential as a saved person.  Christians should strive to live “conformed to the image of Christ” (Romans 8:29).  

Paul tells them, “As you have obeyed…continue”.  One of the marks of someone “working out” or “walking out” their salvation is continual obedience to the Scriptures.  This could be called perseverance in the faith, spiritual fruit, or sanctification. Similarly, Paul said to the believers in Colossae, “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude” (Colossians 2:6-7). 

As Paul pointed out, continued obedience should be observable to others as they had done in his presence.  However, working out your salvation is primarily unto God, not others. This is the “why” Paul encourages them to do “much more in his absence.”  Obedience to God may be more sincere when no one is looking but God. This may be what Paul meant by adding “with fear and trembling.” They knew “what” they should do – work out our salvation. They needed to know “how” they should do it – with fear and trembling. Others may or may not notice our obedience to God, but we should remember that God sees and knows everything, even the motive of our hearts. God worked salvation in us, and obedience should be done with seriousness and reverence to a holy God.  

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Have you ever confused “working out” and “working for” your salvation?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• As you spend time in prayer and worship, allow the Lord to show you how to increase in “fear and trembling” in your continued obedience to His Word.

Action for the Hands (Do)

• In what way are you disobeying the Lord? Do you obey more when people are watching?  Practice obeying the Scripture you read this week as if the Lord is your sole audience.