“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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).
Paul’s admonition here is also partly a word of praise for the faithfulness of the Philippian brethren. They had shown themselves to be obedient in the past, he calls upon them to continue. A significant point made in the passage is that continued obedience is necessary to be saved. The idea of working out “your own salvation” is not in any way at odds with the concept of grace. God requires faithfulness unto death to receive the crown of life! (cf. Revelation 2:10). Paul himself told them, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
Paul identifies how to work out our salvation in the context of Philippians 2. Consider the first four verses of the text. In them, he instructs the brethren to encourage one another. This is accomplished through being like-minded, loving one another, being humble, and putting others before self. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (4).
Of course, love is the identifying characteristic of the child of God. The need for love is especially present when dealing with one another as brethren. “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 3:10-11).
The nature of this love leads one to a life of service to others. If you have true love for mankind, for your neighbor, for your brother in Christ, you will look out for him. You will do what you can to help him. “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:9-11).
Philippians 2:5-8 expresses the need to have the mind of Christ. In addition to emulating the humility of the Lord, consider that we should have the same sacrificial mind that Christ exhibited in coming to the earth. He submitted to the will of His Father, and surrendered even to the point of dying on the cross. A steadfast, sacrificial spirit is needed by any who come to Christ. This was what was lacking in the rich young man. He was sorrowful, because he was unwilling to give up his possessions for the Lord. “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me’” (Mark 10:21).
The instructions continue. Verses 9-11 of the text calls upon us to remember our service is to Christ as our Lord. Too many are will to accept the gift of the Savior, but are unwilling to submit to Him as Lord. God demands our submission, our confession and our allegiance. Paul noted in Romans 8 that a carnal mind brings death. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (7-8). A spiritual person who is working out his salvation is willing to be subject to the Lord and His will.
Consider finally verses 12-16 of Philippians 2. We work out salvation by faithful obedience to Christ’s will (12). By putting way sinful and destructive inclinations like complaining and arguing (14). By shining as lights through our example to the “crooked and perverse generation” among which we live (15). By holding fast the word of life (16).
The importance of our influence upon others can not be overstated. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Also, our initial point concerning the need for steadfastness is seen in Paul’s words, “holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (16). In his second letter to Timothy, he admonished his young charge, “Be diligent to present yourself approved unto God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2:15).
In doing these things we are not “earning our salvation.” Instead, we are allowing God to work. “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (13). Paul said the same thing in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Let no one deceive you, God requires continued service on our part until the end of our lives. With this steadfastness, He promises a grand entrance into the next life. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Working out our own salvation accomplishes for us our salvation as God accomplishes His will in and through us. Glory be to God for His great scheme for redeeming man!
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