“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
There are some verses that sound out of place in the Bible. Some verses that we’re tempted to skip over. For me, this is one of them: “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” I wasn’t going to write a devotion on those verses. They just don’t sound quite right…
How foolish of me. This is God’s Word! Every verse of God’s Word has an important message for you and me. Including these verses. This salvation stuff, this message of eternal life in heaven or eternal death in hell, it’s urgent! It’s something that ought to be on our minds. Today. Tomorrow. Every day. There is an urgency to salvation. So, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
Salvation is so easy to lose. Do you realize that? The devil is so good at his evil work. There are so many temptations, so many opportunities to fall away from God. If ever you think you are standing firm, watch out! If ever you find yourself feeling complacent, wake up! This salvation stuff is serious business. Believing in Jesus isn’t a one-time thing. “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
But don’t think it’s your strength that does the work. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Who put faith in Jesus in our hearts? God. Who gives us strength to fight against sin? God. Who empowers us do good works to his glory? God. “It is God who works in you.”
Left on my own, I would have fallen from faith long ago. But I’m not on my own. I have a Savior. I have a God who is constantly at work in me. God leads me to repent of my sins. God leads me to trust in Jesus’ forgiveness. God leads me to live for God’s glory. Repeat! Repent. Trust. Live… Dear Christian, every day is a day to be about God’s business. So, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
Dear Lord God, I need you. On my own, I couldn’t possibly believe in Jesus. I couldn’t possibly do anything good. But I’m not alone. You work in me. Work faith and good works in my life today. Amen.
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