Work Out Your Own Salvation

[Atonement]

Phl 2:12 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.

It is easy for us to use the proper language and wear the proper clothes when going to Church. It's easy for us to obey our boss when they are watching also. But what about behind closed doors? When no one is watching? Or when we are here at our keyboards typing away in the comfort of our own homes. It's easy to fall back as the world would, to give in, to quit.. To stop running the race set before us. But it's at these times when we are being tested in our faith more than usual. Here is the breaking point and it's simple to just say "oh what the heck, no one is watching!" But I believe this is the breaking point in our own foundation in the Lord. How we react when we are alone. It is in fact this time that we work out our own salvation as Paul told us too. If we have the fear of the Lord within us working this out while using the armor of God is simple for the solid believer. It's at these times, we can really tell the spiritual walk within ourself. Do you as a Christian work out your own Salvation with fear? Or are you a Christian that gives in easy? One that say's "oh what the heck" I believe the Lord is looking for the believer that will stand up for Him out in the world, but more so within one's own self. I would like to hear your opinions on this...

 

[Nikki]

There was a time not too long ago that I was so frustrated because not only was I finally going to church regularly, but I was tithing AND praying more...yet everything in my life was getting worse and worse. One day my friend asked me to come to a party where I knew they'd be drinking and I said "What the heck...being a good Christian sure isn't getting me anywhere". I was depressed, mad and frustrated. Went to the party, popped the top off a wine cooler and drank a few sips. The Lord was with me though. How he manages to keep his cool and have so much love is something I will never understand. My friend and I got to talking about religion and within no time, I was feeling guilty for stumbling and giving up.

I never even finished that one drink. Haven't drank since and the Lord is now doing WONDERFUL things for my family! He's now showing me that if I obey him, he WILL take care of me and bless me more than I ever imagined. He's making me a stronger Christian each day that goes by. I'm sure there will be times that I stumble, but I have the reassurance that he will pick me back up and I have already seen that he's giving me the strength to stumble less and less. I also don't have the "what the heck" mentality that I once did. God has been so good to me and I want to show him how thankful I am for everything he's done for my family.
:angel:

 

[jgredline]

Atone
I have been pondering this verse since last week. I heard a false teacher preach on this, and it got me thinking about it and was going to start a post concerning it. I think to understand this verse a little bit better we should realize that what paul was telling them was to literally protect themselves and that they each responsible for their own salvation.

The Philippians had always obeyed Paul when he was present with them. Now much more in his absence, they should work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.
Again we come to a passage of Scripture concerning which there has been much confusion. At the outset, I want to be very clear that Paul is not teaching that salvation can be earned by works. Throughout his writings, he repeatedly emphasizes that salvation is not by works but by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What then does the verse mean?

It may mean that we are to work out the salvation which God has placed within us. God has given us eternal life as a free gift. We are to live it out by lives of practical holiness.

Salvation here may mean the solution of their problem at Philippi. They had been plagued with squabbles and strife. The apostle has given them the remedy. Now they are to apply the remedy by having the mind of Christ. Thus they would work out their own salvation, or the solution of their difficulty.

The salvation spoken of here is not that of the soul, but deliverance from the snares which would hinder the Christian from doing the will of God. In a similar vein, Vine describes it as the present entire experience of deliverance from evil.
Salvation has many different meanings in the NT. Noticed that in 1:19 it means deliverance from prison. In 1:28 it refers to the eventual salvation of our bodies from the very presence of sin. The meaning in any particular case must be determined in part, at least, by the context. I believe that in this passage salvation means the solution of the problem that was vexing the Philippians, that is, their contentions.

So this is what makes the word of God come alive. If we apply what the Apostle paul said the church of phil. to our own lives, then we are to guard what we do against the snares of the evil one. Like you said Atone. What is it that we do in the privacy of our own home. Are we on Christian chat rooms in one minute and looking at things we should not be looking at the next?
What paul is describing here is to work out our own salvation physically. This is not a Spiritual Salvation as that was taken care of at the Cross.

Do I make sense or am I babbling? Normally I type this stuff up in MS WORD, but I thought I would just wing it type'os and all.

 

[golfjack]

reply

This verse is often mis-interpreted. Some say this verse speaks on how a believer can lose their salvation if they commit a mortal sin. Cathlics use this verse often to back up their Thelogy of Purgatory. Can one lose their salvation? Yes, but very difficult and the only way to lose one's salvation is to publically deny Jesus Christ after they are saved.

So why did Paul put it there? Probably for many reasons. We do know that it is our spirits that are saved. The enemy has no access to our spirits, but if we allow him, he does have access to our soulish realm. This is what we are to guard and workout with fear and trembling. What is the remedy: To renew our minds by hearing and by the Word of God. Also, make our bodies a living sacrifice unto God. How do we do this: Study the Word always, and stay away from sinful things like pornagraphy. Let me give you an example of someone who allows Satan to enter their minds: It's like a big black spot on the soul. If it festers too much that black spot can drop down to our spirits and will result in one denying Christ publically.

Therefore it is dangerous to sin and think one can get away with it. God will forgive one of adultry a hundred times but not the unforgiveable sin, which is denying the Christ that saved him. Many Christians put themselves in danger by not going to church and studying and meditating on the Word of God. They get tossed to and fro. The more meat we deposit into our spirits, the better it gets. Sadly, many are saved enough to stay out of hell, but run the risk of premature death and not finishing their race. No rewards, but they get to heaven because it is a free gift.

I hope I didn't confuse anyone, but this is how I interpret this verse. My oh My what a great salvation we have been given by the the most holy blood of the perfect Lamb. It might seem hard and a lot of work, but don't we agree it is worth it?



May God bless, golfjack