Therefore, my loved ones, just as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence—work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12, TLV
Work Out Your Salvation. Wait. I thought salvation was a free gift from GOD, not by our works (Romans 6:13; Ephesians 2:8-9). Today’s verse can be confusing. And the fear and trembling is a bit disconcerting as well. But when this verse is taken in context, it makes sense.
Bring us back to You, ADONAI [the LORD],
and we will return. Lamentations 5:21a, TLV
Therefore tell them, thus says ADONAI-Tzva’ot [the LORD of Hosts], ‘Return to Me’—it is a declaration of ADONAI-Tzva’ot —‘and I will return to you,’ says ADONAI-Tzva’ot. Zechariah 1:3, TLV
Here we see see the writer of Lamentations (scholars aren’t certain who authored this book, possibly Jeremiah), calling out to the LORD to bring Israel back to Him. Like a hen gathers her chicks. Yet, in Zechariah, the LORD of Hosts says that we are to return to Him, then He’ll return to us. Sounds like a relationship issue. Hint: the issue is not with the LORD.
But [Yeshua] emptied Himself—
taking on the form of a slave,
becoming the likeness of men
and being found in appearance as a man.
He humbled Himself—
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross. (vss. 7-8, TLV)
Our example of a life lived as a redeemed child of Yeshua’s Father, is Yeshua Himself. He emptied His royalty as Sar Shalom [the Prince of Peace], and became as a slave to the will and purpose of His Dad — even to the point of death. That type of commitment is cause for some fear and trembling, yes?
Of course, not everyone is called to this purpose, definitely not as a sacrifice for the world’s sins. But it does speak to the seriousness of our commitment and faith in a fallen world.
“Salvation” is not “fire insurance.” I say a prayer and then go back to my life. Redemption came at a great price for one reason: the need was because of us. Our sin. Sometimes, I think we all need to be reminded of this. I know I do.
For the One working in you is God—both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (vs. 13, TLV)
We go back to that relationship thing. Out of gratitude for our GOD’s love, we want to do His will. We want to know He is pleased. Right?
So, how does Paul advise the Philippians — and us — to carry out this work? Do the work without grumbling and arguing, so that we look and are innocent and blameless as lights in a dark world (vss. 14-15). Then hold fast to the Word of Life, GOD’s word (vs. 16). Which was mostly what is known as the “Old Testament.”
It is a two-way street, in our relationships on earth. A one-sided relationship is unhealthy for both parties. Why would it be different with our Heavenly Father? Especially when His own Son modeled the perfect relationship. They were so close, they were one (John 10:30).
All but one of the apostles were martyred for their faith. Followers of Jesus around the world are still being martyred for their faith. They indeed worked out their salvation — walked out their salvation — with fear and trembling. It’s a commitment. It’s a relationship with the Creator of the Universe who is holy, yet loves us. So, let us work out our salvation with holy fear and trembling.
