Devotion #3: Work Out Your Own Salvation

Pastor Ferdinand Sanders

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13

Being the parents of a 6 and 2-year-old repeatedly continues to prove to be one of the most frustratingly challenging and yet somehow beautifully rewarding things my wife and I have ever lived through. If you are currently walking through anything remotely similar to what we are walking through, we send our sympathy. If you are not currently in this season of life, pray for us (and maybe send coffee). Although parenting can often feel like an endless amount of repeating yourself over and over and over, one of my favorite things about being a parent are those moments where I get to see when the “lightbulb” flips on and they “get it” for themselves. More than the victory of no longer needing to repeat yourself, there is this proud parent feeling where you get to see the thing that you have been trying to teach or impress on your child becoming a part of who they are.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Paul, whilst enduring a great deal of persecution and currently imprisoned, offers a pretty radical message on the hope we have through Christ. If anyone had the right to complain, give up, or let life’s circumstances get them down, it was Paul. However, Paul urged the Christians in Philippi to press on and to “work out your own salvation.”

For those of us who have been saved, we know two things: there is work yet to be done, and we will face prosecution. Paul is not saying that salvation is a result of our works; however, it can be argued here that “works” are a result of our salvation! Paul encourages us to “work out your own salvation,” and to press on in the face of persecution through fear and trembling because of the hope that we have in Jesus.

In regard to raising my kids, I have often said that I have two main priorities:

• That they come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
• That they are good, kind humans.

It may seem simple, but I feel like if they have those two things locked in their heart, I do not think I would be too worried about many other things. Paul wrote a similar message to the Philippians in these verses, but in essence, his words are still relevant and applicable to us today. It is my prayer that today, and every day, we are able to “work out our salvation” in accordance with God’s will and for His glory!