WORKING OUT ONE'S OWN SALVATION

Philippians 2:12 is a verse in the Bible that seems to teach man must work in order to be saved. It says, "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." Since that is totally inconsistent with the rest of the Word of God which teaches that salvation is a gift and not of works (Eph. 2:8-9), there must be some logical explanation.

It is found in the context of the passage. Philippians 2:13 explains what is meant in verse twelve. Paul wrote, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." In other words, since born again believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:17), He gives us the desire and the ability to do what pleases Him. Believers are gifted and empowered to do those tasks that God wants us to do (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 12:7).

It is also found in the context of the Book of Philippians. First, it is written to those who are already saved (Phil. 1:1). Secondly, it is God who had begun a good work in them, and would keep doing it until the return of Jesus (Phil. 1:6). Thirdly, Paul speaks of born again believers being "sealed until the Lord returns for us (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).

That being said, why does the Bible say so much about believers doing God's work? What works does He want man to do? Before I speak of the believer's works, there is one, and only one, work He desires from an unsaved person; "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent" (Jn. 6:29). God wants all men to be saved by trusting in His Son (2 Pet 3:9). Born again believers have been saved to do good works, not by doing good works (Eph. 2:8-10).

Believers are told what the Lord requires of them in Micah 6:8. "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" "Do justly" means do the right thing; be just. "Love mercy" means enjoy forgiving those who do not act justly toward you; show them mercy. "Walk humbly with thy God" means acknowledge your unworthiness to be His child, and glorify Him by loving Him back. We demonstrate that by loving others. Believe me, that takes humility!

Paul describes how a believer shows charity (loves others) in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

If you want to work out your own salvation,
allow God to love others through you.