Work Out Your Salvation
To work out your salvation is hard and after a while, you may either stop or detest trying. It’s because you must learn to build your spiritual muscles.
The work out your own salvation Bible verse comes from Philippians 2:12. Apostle Paul throws out powerful spirit-filled words. You may not land on your feet when the truth hits home.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but so much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
It sounds like he says you’re on your own, doesn’t it? That’s a scary proposition when you need a mentor but that’s exactly what he declares. He can’t physically visit the Philippians because He’s in prison. He wants them to develop into mature Christians and experience that Jesus is their Rock (the foundation and heart of salvation).
Before verse 12, Paul reminds the Philippians and us that we should pattern our lives after Jesus. Immediately after Philippians 2:12, Paul says Christians should shine as lights among men without even the first complaint.
That’s tough love at its finest hour.
Work Out Your Salvation Meaning: Jesus Did the Hard Part
Jesus makes our job easier because we couldn’t do what He did and save ourselves from eternal death. In other words, it’s you and God and no one else when you grow spiritually. Essentially once saved, you learn how to live a sanctified or holy life. You work out your salvation daily.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2-3).
My soul waits in silence on God alone;from Him comes my salvation.He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my refuge; I will not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:1-3).
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (Philippians 3:10-12).
What does it mean to stand under the canopy of God’s rest and let Him be our Rock, rescuer, defense, and fortress? Our posture of silence and attitude of trustful waiting indicates that we allow Him to resolve situations in His way and time. Resting indicates we anticipate the liberty His active stance brings to our circumstances.
Work Out Your Salvation: You Might Want to Run
Running seems like an option when your wife now lives with someone else and leaves the children with you. Darkness surrounds and overtakes a person with depression and single mothers and their children are without homes. How do you even have time to work out your own salvation when rumbles like these shake your foundation?
According to Nelson’s Three in One Bible Reference, “Salvation from God is a total work affecting a right relationship between mankind and Himself.” By nurturing our relationship with Him, He heals our finances, bodies, and earthly relationships. A relationship with God, our Creator, is a priority in this upside-down life to let Him be Lord over all. That’s the first secret to working out your salvation. Here are more ways:
7 Ways to Work Out Your Salvation
- I do not compete with God. He is sovereign, my Creator, my Lord. The spirit part of me submits to His will for my life.
- I honor His voice above all of life’s other voices that strive to disconnect me from Him. His voice is identifiable when I know what it sounds like through His Word, His people, His world, His authority, and His presence in prayer. My book, God Prods, provides Christian living examples of how to work out your salvation.
- I am consistent in season and out. I must evaluate what lives within my heart. If what lives there doesn’t fit God’s plan, I must eliminate it. I will know my inner condition by meditating on the Word of God daily.
- I must eliminate areas in my life that are not pleasing to God. Every human being innately knows the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. By becoming proactive toward the goodness of God, I incorporate His ways into my life.
- I allow God to show me individually how to build a strong foundation. I must be ready to receive His words of knowledge in every situation.
- Strong spiritual mentors who are tested and tried are people to buddy up with. These people of God know Him intimately, are not religious, and refuse to take up the traditions of men.
- I let God establish other preparations within me to build up my salvation such as this example from scripture. “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). My book, God Prods, elbows your spirit to go higher, deeper, and wider with Him.
Final Thoughts on How to Work Out Your Salvation
None of us look like Jesus as soon as we become Christians. The process of sanctification and transforming into the image of Christ’s character continues until we take our last breath on earth.
Living in God’s presence and doing things His way requires something different from me than a common experience. If I’m enthralled with my Lord’s presence and character, I won’t separate from Him, regardless of the circumstance. I may even grow to like (or possibly love) His loving corrections.