God works in us
"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." (Philippians 2:12-13)
I have heard this scripture quoted so many times and so often, when used, the emphasis seems to be on the work we do.
As I was studying these verses recently, I noticed a different emphasis.
First, Paul was encouraging the Philippian church to obey the Word of God in his absence. In other words, working out one's own salvation and obedience to God's Word should always be motivated by a personal faith and desire to do so. It is not something to do for the eyes of men or only in the presence of an authority figure.
Second, Paul was encouraging them to work out their own salvation.
What does "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" mean?
Work: (katergazomai) work fully, finish
Salvation (soteria) rescue, preservation
Fear: (phobos) reverence, respect, fear of
Trembling: (tromos) used to describe the anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements, but religiously does his utmost to fulfil his duty
*Greek words in parentheses
As I read what the words meant in Greek, I began to better understand what Paul was expressing to the Philippian church.
The word "work" means to finish. It is being used in reference to working out one's own salvation.
According to the Word of God, we know we cannot work to save ourselves. We are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection. Faith in His finished work.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Paul goes on to explain though.
"Work" out (finish) your own salvation "with" or in a way that describes the action or occurrence.
The action or occurrence is salvation.
Finish out your salvation by describing it with fear and trembling.
Remember, fear is awe of God and trembling is completely acknowledging one's inability.
In other words, the way we describe the salvation that has occurred in our own life, is by living in awe and respect of the God who saved us and completely distrusting our own ability to meet His requirements.
Yes, we practice doing what God's Word commands us to do, but that brings us to the next verse...
It is only HIS work in us and through us. It is His strength and Spirit in us, helping and leading us to good works, for apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5)
God's work in us:
"for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Works and work: (energeo) active, efficient, and mighty.
Will: (thelo) choose and prefer
Quickly reading through the scripture I started with, we might think, isn't Paul contradicting himself? First he says work out your own salvation then, it's God who works in you. I'd say no.
He is saying: the way we work out our own salvation is by continually reminding ourselves of Who our salvation comes from.
It comes from God alone.
The beginning of our knowledge of God started with fear of God, an awe of Who He is and what He has done for us, and a complete acknowledgement of our own inability to meet His requirements, laws, and standards.
This is the Truth Paul was encouraging the Philippian believers to always work from. He was encouraging them to finish living out their salvation as people who did not rely on their own works and whose awe of God surpassed awe of anything or anyone else.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
Did you catch that? We are HIS workmanship. We were created in Christ Jesus for good works that HE prepared for us to walk in.
God is actively and mightily working in our hearts to choose and prefer what He has determined is good.
As our awe for Him increases and our esteem for our own ability decreases, He works in our heart to desire what He desires and to do the works He has prepared for us.
May we never esteem and place emphasis on the work we do. Instead, may we always esteem God, the One who rescued us from a life bound to sin and is the Source of all that is good, true, and right in our lives. Without Him we can do nothing.
It is God who works in us...
To HIM be all glory and honor forever!
Blessings,
Amy
