Work Out Your Own Salvation

“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” (Phil 2.12-13)

It is not too surprising to us when our children follow our rules when we are looking directly at them. They have learned that disobedience in the presence of mom and dad is a bad idea. A better way to measure a child’s loyalty to their parents is to observe their behavior when they are not around. Even better, how do they respect their parent’s rule when they think no one else is watching? Paul’s exhortation to the brethren in Philippi is to be obedient whether he or others are watching or not. Salvation is a personal endeavor. Working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, means we have a personal respect for the power of God, and faith that he can deliver us from our sins. It means that I am willing to follow God’s plan whether someone is watching or not. It is a commitment to allow God’s will to work in my life “for his good pleasure.”