Thats in Philippians 2:12 - As you have always obeyed... continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Ive continued the sentence through into verse 13 because a lot of people who believe salvation depends upon our works cut it short at the end of verse 12. Its never a good idea to cut biblical verses short! The reason why we have fear and trembling with regard to the matter of the out-working of our salvation is that God is working in the believer. The Holy Spirit indwells Christians and that is a most awesome realisation. The very thought should keep us from commiting sin or even thinking in an ungodly way. Sadly, we give too little consideration to the miracle of being united to God and Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Salvation has an on-going aspect, you see. Although when God saves, He saves utterly, we still have to live on Earth as those who have been set free from slavery to sin. Yet the temptation to return to sin always surrounds us. When we appreciate the enormity of what Christs sacrifice accomplished for us, we desire to develop and grow spiritually. Salvation is not merely a gift received once for all; it expresses itself in an ongoing process in which the believer is strenuously involved. See Matt. 24:13; 1 Cor 9:24-27; Hebrews 3:14 & 6:9-11 and 2 Peter 1:5-8. The Christians fear and trembling is not because of doubt or anxiety; rather, the reference is to an active reverence and a singleness of purpose in response to Gods grace. This respectful attitude is shown by continuing to be obedient to the known will of God in our daily living.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 00:24:03 +0000
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