what does it mean to work out your salvation according to Philippines 2 :12
The Bible, particularly the New Testament, speaks about salvation in various ways. It is presented as a free gift of God that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. However, it is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process that we must work out in our daily lives. In this article, we will discuss what it means to work out our salvation according to Philippians 2:12.
Context of Philippians 2:12
Philippians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Philippi. In chapter 2, Paul encourages the Philippians to have the same mindset as Christ, who humbled himself and became obedient to death on a cross. He then writes in verse 12, “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.”
What does it mean to “work out your own salvation”?
The phrase “work out your own salvation” has been misunderstood by some to mean that we can earn our salvation by doing good works. However, this is not what Paul is saying. The Greek word for “work out” used in this verse is “katergazomai,” which means to bring something to completion or fruition. Therefore, Paul is saying that we should bring our salvation to completion or live it out in our daily lives.
This does not mean that we can save ourselves by our own efforts. Rather, it means that we should live in such a way that our faith in Christ is evident through our actions. James 2:17 says, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” In other words, if we claim to have faith in Christ but do not live out that faith through good works, our faith is meaningless.
With fear and trembling
Paul also adds the phrase “with fear and trembling.” This does not mean that we should be afraid of losing our salvation or that we should live in constant fear of God’s judgment. Rather, it means that we should approach our salvation with humility and reverence. We should recognize the magnitude of what Christ has done for us and the responsibility that comes with being a follower of Christ.
Living out our salvation
So how do we work out our salvation in our daily lives? First and foremost, we must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This means accepting him as our Lord and Savior and trusting in him for our salvation. We must also seek to grow in our faith by reading and studying the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers.
As we grow in our faith, we should also seek to live in obedience to Christ. This means following his commands and living according to his example. This includes loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). It also means living a life of holiness and purity, avoiding sin and temptation.
We should also seek to serve others as Christ served us. This means using our gifts and talents to bless others and show them the love of Christ. It means putting the needs of others before our own and being willing to sacrifice for their benefit.
Conclusion
In summary, working out our salvation means bringing our faith to completion and living it out in our daily lives. It does not mean that we can earn our salvation by our own efforts but rather that we should live in such a way that our faith in Christ is evident through our actions. We should approach our salvation with humility and reverence, recognizing the magnitude of what Christ has done for us. As we grow in our faith, we should seek to live in obedience to Christ, serve others, and love
what does it mean to work out your salvation
Shalom
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