“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.” Philippians 2:12

During the New Year, many people make resolutions to improve things not successfully done the prior year, weight loss is generally on the top of most list- gym memberships are probably at an all-time high- making promises to self and others to get in the gym and work it out! Certainly, this is good… but more importantly, what about our spiritual growth and development?

Salvation is a gift of God’s amazing grace alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 state: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” At the moment of salvation…every born-again believer is instantaneously indwelt with the Holy Spirit; He seals or authenticates us as beloved children of God… our destination to Heaven is secure!

However, along with the precious gift of salvation, also comes great responsibility. The apostle Paul admonishes us to work out our own salvation. “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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.” Philippians 2:12.

What does the apostle Paul mean by “work out” our own salvation? God has placed His marvelous light within our souls and by the power of the Holy Spirit we have the ability to make choices that are spiritually and morally right; we are consistently being endowed with holy fruit from above… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.“ Galatians 5:22-23.

These are all godly virtues that grow, strengthen, and guide us in our conversations and conduct; we are held responsible to live as representatives of our Savior, Jesus Christ- but are we working it out by listening and following where the Holy Spirit leads- are we being the lights of this dark world that we have been re-created to be? “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22.

We are called to work out our soul salvation by walking in the truth and allowing the word of Christ to have free reign of our lives- “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16. 

My friends, let us examine ourselves-we have not been saved to simply sit and wait for Jesus to return; we have a work to do… people are struggling in life because they are not being feed the truth. Every Christian soldier must send the message of the cross- praying to positively impact the lives of some lost soul and above all to run this race with mastery-running to win the crown that is laid up for us one day in Heaven…“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8. Work it out!

God blessings of peace, love, and mercy be with us all.