Work Out Your Salvation
I’ve been reading Philippians 2 and 4 lately. There is so much in each chapter. A couple verses I’ve been pondering lately is Philippians 2:12-13: “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Our works don’t save us but, if you read the Bible, there is a lot we’re commanded to do.
“But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:20-24).
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
God will sometimes take away the desire to sin but often we have to choose to live rightly, to give up old habits, to respond in love when we don’t feel like it. We may have to take the first steps but, as we look to Him, He will give us the strength to do so and will begin to change our sin-ridden, hard heart if we ask Him to.
If Christ is not reigning in Your body, ask Him to do so. Ask Him to show you the things in your life that displease Him and to give you the strength to discard those things. You may have to give up things you’re enjoying now but life with Him is so worth it. Don’t hesitate to ask a Brother or Sister to help you move forward in the area God’s convicting you of. It’s amazing how powerful intercession can be.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
I like what Spurgeon writes about Philippians 2:12-13
This is not to work their salvation in the sense of accomplishing it, but to work out their salvation – to see it evident in every area of their lives, to activate this salvation God freely gave them.