Work Out Your Own Salvation????

Philippians 2:12-13

KJV-Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.


NKJV-Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.


NLT-Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

NIV-Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

ESV-Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

NASB-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.

These words were written to the Philippians by Paul. Knowing that Paul was writing on behalf of Jesus and therefore God, and that all that comes form the Father and the Son is good for edification of all humans, let's study this as if it was said by Jesus to you or me.

He is saying that we have always obeyed Him, when He was here on Earth with us and even more so after he went back into Heaven.

Now, why is this so important? Well, as the old saying goes, "When the cat's away, the mice will play." When Jesus was here on Earth and visibly walking among people, it was easier for them to obey His teachings.

He was right there and might see them.

When He left, it became easier, as in today, to not obey His teachings fully and completely. It is hard to fathom, with these simple, limited human minds that although Jesus was crucified and arose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven-that He is also Omniscient and sees and hears all-even our thoughts.

Thus it becomes easier to dis-obey Him.

". . .for it is God who is at work in you. . ." Yes, it is God Himself that is in each of us, Working to prepare us for a better, different life on the other side of the grave.

Again, something hard for our minds to understand in its fullness. "He is in us?" you ask. Well, yes.

Just as when you create something-a crocheted blanket, or a birdhouse, or a pair of curtains a part of you is in that object. How much more so when you have created child?

God is in us as He made the first of our race from dirt and his own spit and then breathed life into them from His own Spirit. All that was passed down to each of us--those parts of God, the Creator, the Great Mystery from generation to generation.

". . .both to will and to work for His good pleasure. . ." Does this mean God imposes His Will and His definition of "good pleasure" on us? Yes and no. He will never force us to do or think what He wants or knows is best for us, UNLESS, we have willingly and knowingly submitted to His will for our lives.

" . . .work out your salvation with fear and trembling. . ." This is the tricky part. This is the part that is the hardest to comprehend. Our minds say, "But God tells us what salvation is." "He tells us what we must or must not do."

No, He does not. He gives us warnings. He tells us what He hates and abhors. He tells us the consequences of doing one thing or the other, but He never tells us we must obey.

It is a free will choice to have the fruits of this action or of that action.

So, we must make our salvation with fear and trembling.