Your Own Salvation

by Dan Richardson

“So then, my beloved, even 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” (Philippians 2:12).

When all is considered, salvation comes down to each individual standing before God. Our relationship to Him is not defined by our being absorbed and lost in the group. Some seem to desire a “group association” type standing with God, so they may forget their individual duty, but God doesn’t view it that way. His grace made the provision of the cross of Jesus so that, “he should taste of death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9). Through the gospel of Christ, God’s power for man’s salvation, is provided the means for “every one that believeth” to obtain forgiveness of sin (Romans 1:16). And all mankind, on the Day of Judgment, will stand before Christ the Judge as accountable individuals who will, “receive the things done in the body … whether good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). Paul’s discourse in Philippians 2:12-18 teaches us some necessary components involved in our “own salvation.”

OBEDIENCE – “as ye have always obeyed” (12a). Man’s initial conversion to Christ starts by being “obedient from the heart to that form (pattern) of teaching whereunto ye were delivered” (Romans 6:17). God generally characterizes His people as “children of obedience” (I Peter 1:14). Indeed, the very proof of our being God’s people is determined by our being “obedient in all things” (II Corinthians 2:9).

Several instances in the New Testament give us warning by using the example of Israel’s disobedience. When Stephen preached his final sermon before being stoned to death, he made reference to the historical truth that “our fathers (Israelites) would not be obedient, but thrust him (God) from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt” (Acts 7:39). In the epistle to the Hebrews is stated Israel’s failure to enter into God’s rest (the promised land of Canaan), because they “were disobedient,” a phrase synonymous with their “unbelief” (Hebrews 3:18-19). Consequently, Christians are admonished, “Let us, therefore, give diligence to enter into that rest (awaiting all God’s faithful – heaven), that no man fall after the same example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11).

Again, the necessity of obedience is clearly observed by Jesus declaring it to be the proof of man’s genuine love for Him (John 14:15). Similarly, we are warned against making a mere verbal profession of love, to the exclusion of obedience “in deed and truth” (I John 3:18). Let no one be deceived, either by the world or the religions of man, that obedience is unimportant. It will be the criterion used by the Lord in the final Judgment in determining one worthy or not of heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).

REVERENCE – “with fear and trembling” (12b). Man’s pride is a formidable obstacle to be overcome if we are to please God. When confronted by his sinfulness, man must humble himself in godly sorrow which brings genuine repentance toward God (II Corinthians 7:10-11). In the place of pride will come the fear of God. Reverence toward God, rather than sheer terror, comes from the veneration of the greatness and glory of God, as our Creator, and is due Him because of His beneficence shown man, in His desire to establish an amiable relationship with those who revere Him. And only those with reverence can enjoy the covenant relationship God makes possible, “The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant” (Psalms 25:14). Reverence stirs man to love what God loves and hate what God hates, “The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the perverse mouth, do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13; cf. Romans 12:9).

In a brief description of Noah’s faith, scripture reveals he “moved with godly fear” (Hebrews 11:7). His reverence for God was the motivation in everything Noah did as a faithful servant of God, and, in like manner, will so characterize God’s people today, who “offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe ” (Hebrews 12:28).

HOLINESS – “without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (15-16). Children of God must be a holy people in an unholy world. This was according to God’s purpose before He created the world, “even as he chose us in him (Christ) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love” (Ephesians 1:4). God calls man through His gospel for this purpose, “but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy, for I am holy” (I Peter 1:15-16). “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification (holiness), that ye abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel (body) in sanctification and honor … For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification” (I Thessalonians 4:3-4, 7).

This imposes a great responsibility upon each Christian as to his place in this world. We should not live “unequally yoked with unbelievers” (II Corinthians 6:14). This entails that we “make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:14). We should never willingly place ourselves in a position to compromise what we know is right and holy, in the places we go or the people we associate with (I Corinthians 15:33; cf. Proverbs 23:1-2). By knowing ourselves and our weaknesses, finding ourselves in certain situations should strike a note of fear in our hearts, to prevent us from making the deliberate choice to go there. And, if we do find ourselves in such situations, that we have the courage of faith to leave. It is morally and spiritually reckless for one to see how close he can get to the line of temptation and sin, without crossing it. Instead, we must flee sin and “abstain from every form of evil” (I Thessalonians 5:22).

Christians endeavor to stand faithfully upon the promises of God. By such, they prepare themselves against succumbing to worldliness through “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:15-16). In the strength from God’s word, we must “cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Corinthians 7:1). Then, and only then, will we be “lights in the world, holding forth the word of life” (Philippians 2:16).

SACRIFICE – “if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy … and in the same manner do ye also joy …” (17-18). There is a cost to being a disciple of Christ. Faith has its struggles and trials, and it’s erroneous to think that being a Christian is free of them and easy.

Jesus’ life exemplifies to us a life of trials and suffering so that we might follow in His steps (I Peter 2:21ff.). Satan tempted the Lord to take the easy way out – the crown before the cross – but Jesus resisted (Matthew 4:8-10). Jesus endured the cross before receiving the crown, and teaches us to do the same, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Satan, in like manner, tempts the Christian to take an easy way out, to strive for a bogus crown on a path of no commitment, conviction, nor sacrifice of faith.

Trusting in God, the Christian can “count it all joy … when ye fall into manifold temptations (trials), knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3). Yes, God puts our faith to the test, and it’s for our spiritual progress. A strong faith is forged in the crucible fires of suffering, proved genuine and pure (I Peter 1:6-7). Your own salvation will depend on it.