Philippians 1.12-13
“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.”
Lifelong spiritual growth and discipleship is a hallmark of authentic Christianity.
The word translated “work out” in Philippians 2 is the Greek katergazomai, and it means “to achieve or accomplish.” Paul is not saying that we must work to achieve salvation. We know this because in many other verses he makes it clear that salvation is by grace through faith and not the result of works or effort. Salvation is a gift of grace; it cannot be earned.
The work to which Paul refers is the activity and effort that should flow from salvation. Here is a breakdown of key aspects of this passage.
- Salvation initiates the Christian life, and then we must do work in order to grow. As it says in 2 Peter 1.5: “Make every effort.” This is the principle of musar (growth by disciplined practice) that we studied in Proverbs. We must take action. The growth and development work we are called to do is by faith and empowered by God’s grace. It is not work that earns the favor of God; it is work that is done in response to the favor of God.
- Paul tells us to work out our salvation “with fear and trembling.” There are two primary reasons for this. First, fear and trembling signals our respect and reverence for the greatness of God, and for the greatness of the life to which he calls us. Second, this work is the most important work we will ever do because it affects everything else we do.
- The Lord “works in us” … that is, he prompts and energizes us, but he does not force his will on us. Here the Lord reminds us that the work we do is not by ourselves. Indeed, we can only do the work because the Lord enables us and works in us. 2 Peter again: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”
- The purpose of the work we do — and the purpose of the work that God does in us — is “to will and to work for his good pleasure.” We must always remember that salvation and the spiritual growth that follows is ultimately for God’s purposes, not ours. The Lord saves us and calls us to himself, and then sends us into the world to bear fruit and accomplish what he wants to accomplish through us in our time and place in history.
Philippians 1.12-13 is an amazing passage that paints an incredible picture of spiritual growth. We are saved by the gift of God’s grace, received by faith. Then, in response to God’s grace and empowered by his Spirit, we do the daily work to deny our old nature and develop our new nature in Christ. The result? We continuously grow and bear fruit.
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3.18)
The Lord is calling.
