How Can We Work Out Our Salvation?

By Jeremy D. Joy

We have a relationship with one another as members of the body of Christ and we should encourage one another (Romans 12:4-5), but the emphasis in the New Testament is upon our individual and personal responsibility. We may be members of a church that is less than ideal with Christians who are less than ideal, but we can worship and serve God nonetheless.

“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). There may be obstacles that prevent us from obtaining salvation, but we must overcome them, if we are to accomplish the plans and purposes of God. How can we “work out” our salvation?

Salvation is used in reference to the past, present, and future. Just as our past salvation was conditional, our present and future salvation are also conditional. Therefore, we must “work out” our salvation. The Greek word translated “work out” was used by a first century author to describe mining silver out of silver mines. It implies effort that must be expended to secure a valuable possession (1 Peter 1:18-19). To “work out” our salvation means that we must cooperate with the work of God through humble submission and obedience (Philippians 1:6). We must have a personal relationship with God and be obedient to His will, even when our circumstances are less than ideal, unlike an employee who works only when the supervisor is watching (Ephesians 6:5-8). Our obedience should be characterized by “fear and trembling” because of what is at stake and the possibility of failure. We should avoid the extremes of carelessness and overconfidence.

It is the will of God that we succeed spiritually and He works on our behalf primarily through His word (2 Thessalonians 2:13), but also by His providence through other Christians (2 Corinthians 7:5-7) and human suffering (James 1:2-4) to ensure our salvation. It is encouraging to know that God is working for us and we dare not frustrate His plans and purposes through our carelessness and overconfidence.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of salvation” (Philippians 1:6). God is working in us! Our obedience is simply our cooperation with Him. We need to quit making excuses and “work out” our salvation.

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