Work Out Your Salvation

Scripture Text Philippians 2:12-13

Introduction:  The passage for today is unique because it brings up the great subject of salvation. Keep in mind that salvation means deliverance from the power and penalty of sin, and that salvation is of God. It is God who has saved and delivered you: "For by grace are ye saved through faith" (Ephesians. 2:8-9). But once you are saved, God says go to work—work out your own salvation and deliverance. Salvation is not stagnant and complacent. A saved person is not to be sitting around doing nothing and letting the chips fall where they may. A saved person is to get up and go to work. He is to do all he can to work out his own salvation.

I.  The Command.  Philippians 2:12 (NKJV)
¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

What does it mean to “work out your own salvation?” The word "work out" means to work on to the finish, to completion, to perfection. It always means to complete the effort and the work begun; to accomplish it perfectly; to bring it to completion. The point is: salvation is the beginning of a new exciting life. Never think you have arrived. Do not be satisfied with a little when you can have much. Go on; grow until salvation is completed in you. It is your own personal salvation you must work out. No friend, no pastor can work it out for you. You alone must do it. The point is clearly stated: once God has saved a person, that person is to get busy obeying God and serving Him. You are to take hold of the new life and salvation God has given you, and work on it until it is completed and finished, that is, until God takes you home and perfects your salvation.

 1. We are to “work out our salvation in “fear and trembling” lest we disappoint the Lord. Jesus has saved us, and He has gone to the ultimate limit in order to do it. He has demonstrated a perfect love for us by taking all our sins upon Himself and bearing our punishment for us. Therefore, when we sin and fail, it cuts His heart to no end. For His sake, to keep from hurting Him, we must work out our salvation, fearing and trembling lest we do break His heart.We are to fear and tremble because we are to face the judgment seat of Christ.

II. The power. Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)  For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. We have the very power of God our Creator working in us!

 a. God gives us the will to work out our salvation. Romans 12:2 (NKJV) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. God gives us His word to renew our way of thinking. His word changes our selfish will to His way of thinking so we can prove what is His good, acceptable and perfect will is for us.

 b. God gives us the power to do His good pleasure. Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT) ¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Think about this awesome truth from God’s word. God has given us His tremendous Holy Spirit power to live as Christ lived. The very Spirit of Christ lives in us and empowers us to do God’s will.

III. The result of “working out our salvation.”

 a. Conformed to Christ’s image. Romans 8:29 (NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Only when we are in harmony with Jesus will we accomplish what God wants us to do. Only then can we truly love Father God and people like Jesus, care for others like Jesus, pray like Jesus and live like Jesus in all circumstances. The apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Invitation: Have you been saved? In other words have you asked Jesus Christ to forgive your sins against God and have you then invited Him into your life to live in you and take charge of your life? If not ask Jesus to save you and give you a home in heaven when this life is over! Romans 10:9 (NLT)  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. God’s promise to you!