Work Out Your Salvation

Paul told the Philippians to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Php 2:12) That seems to be confusing to some people. "Hang on a minute," I've heard people say, "works have nothing to do with salvation." Well, yes ... and no. We know we are saved by grace through faith apart from works (Eph 2:8-9), but it goes on to say that we are saved by grace through faith apart from works for good works (Eph 2:10). Works are not the cause of salvation but they are definitely the effect.

So Paul is not saying that they need to work for salvation with fear and trembling. He was saying they (and, by extension, we) need to work out salvation. What does that mean? There are lots of ideas available, but it's best to let Scripture speak for itself here first. The verse itself begins with a "therefore" (or "wherefore," depending on translation) that requires something that came before. What came before? "Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus ..." (Php 2:5-11) It ends with God elevating Christ above all others so that every knee would bow and "every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Php 2:9-11) On that basis, work out your salvation. Because God exalts Him, work out your salvation. Because it is to the glory of God, work out your salvation. Considering others as more important than yourself is working out your salvation (Php 2:3). Looking out for the interests of others is working out your salvation (Php 2:4). Having Christ's mind in yourself is working out your salvation. Obedience publicly and privately is working out your salvation (Php 2:12).

The Greek word behind "work out" means "to work fully." In the end, then, it looks as if "work out" your salvation is the same as our "workout." Exercise it. Strengthen it. Put it to use. Hard labor, even. "No pain, no gain," they say. Bring it to its full capacity, so to speak. You've got it; now work it. That's the idea.

So, you have that salvation. Now work that salvation into every corner of your life. Extend it beyond yourself. Share it with others. You're already looked after in Christ; look after others. You're already loved in Christ; love others. Do it without grumbling or complaining (Php 2:14). Work out the blemishes (Php 2:15). "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matt 5:16)

Two last points. First, this is best accomplished if we have the proper sense of fear. Trembling, even. For those of us who see Christ as exalted, we ought to maintain a sense of fear to fail at working out our salvation. Second, along with that fear and trembling is the confidence of success. Why? Because we're not doing this work all on our own. "It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Php 2:13) What is required to succeed in anything? You need the will and you need the ability. God is supplying that. We can't fail. He is supplying it for His good pleasure. We cannot fail.

So, time to hit the gym, so to speak. While they're working on their six-pack, we need to work out our salvation. It's a bit frightening, but we cannot fail.