What does it mean to work out your salvation in fear and trembling?
This morning, I was reading Philippians 2:12–13 where Paul says, “Dear friends…Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
I have seen so many Christians fall into legalism because they misunderstand this passage.
They think they need to prove they are saved by doing more: more serving in church, more ministry, more time spent in the spiritual disciplines, and, whatever you do, don’t make a mistake. Because mistakes might mean you aren’t saved.
But what does it really mean to “work hard” to show the results of your salvation (or, as other translations say, work out your salvation in fear and trembling)?
Does it mean we strive in our own strength to earn and keep our salvation? Does it mean we have to be perfect and never make a mistake?
No.
Look at the next part of this verse…
“…obeying God with deep reverence and fear.”
We bear the fruit of our salvation when we have a healthy fear of the Lord and the desire to obey Him above all else.
When we believe in who He is and meditate on His character— loving, perfect, holy, righteous, all-powerful, good, faithful — it instills a deep reverence and awe within us.
And, most importantly, it fills us with love for Him. How can we not want to obey the One who loves us so much that He would send His Son to die for our salvation?
There is even more good news! We don’t even have to work hard to conjure up the desire and power to do what pleases God.
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
So, what do we do?
All we can do is surrender and say yes, trusting that God is at work within us, transforming us into His likeness.
Yes, Lord, I believe in You and I want to obey You. Please continue to refine me each and every day, pruning away anything that does not please You, and nurturing all the seeds You have planted in my heart so that they grow and I become more like You, my Heavenly Father.
And remember, you are going to make mistakes along the way, but there is always grace. And IF you stumble, you have an Advocate in Christ Jesus (2 John 2:1).
