God’s Working People
Salvation’s Work – Part VII
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:12-18
Key Verse: Philippians 2:12
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,
As I wrap up this week’s theme of salvation’s work, let me remind you that our work comes after God has done His work.
God’s work begins in us the moment we put our faith in Jesus and ask Him to forgive us of our sins. At this moment of faith, God makes us instantly clean and ready for Heaven.
Though the inner work of God is complete, remember that the outer work of becoming mature in Christ takes a lifetime. This outer work is where our part comes in. As today’s Key Verse puts it, we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
I hope that the phrase “fear and trembling” helps us realize the importance of our part of the New Covenant. To receive God’s best for us and not give our best to Him is a sin.
The Hebrew writer gives a serious warning to anyone who would not treat God’s great Gift with reverence and respect:
For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. (Hebrews 10:28-29)
In our day and age, we have many rivals to our love for God and His gift of salvation. It is an insult to make love for God and His gift a supplement to our other interests.
When it comes to our salvation, work hard to make it the most important aspect of our lives. Work hard to weed out anything that starts to tempt us to compromise our love for God.
Know that we are heading toward compromise when we want something so bad that we are willing to be dishonest to get it.
An example that I often run into is people that take cash “under the table” to not pay taxes. This means that that person loves money more than God, that they are willing to be dishonest to gain more money for themselves.
We can find ourselves in many situations when it is tempting to be less than honest to gain some advantage. These are the moments that prove our love and trust in God’s care when we refuse to compromise our integrity.
May God’s people work out their salvation with fear and trembling; God’s gift is worthy of that work!
Father, I want You to be first in my life, above all else in this world. Remind me of that when I come to a moment of temptation that compromises that love. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.