From Philippians 2:12 - "...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling...."

You may have heard the phrase "hard sayings of Jesus."  I am not sure if this is typically counted among them, but it can be hard for me personally because its meaning is not necessarily as obvious as a command like "thou shaIt not steal." I sometimes tend to forget what this passage means and have to periodically remind myself. 

On the surface, it could be misinterpreted as talking about salvation by works, that is, earning salvation by the things we do. But other Scripture, and most pointedly Ephesians 2:8, tells us salvation is the gift of God and not of ourselves or because of our works. So what does it mean to "work out our salvation?"  

Once we are saved, we are not to become stagnant and simply "rest on our laurels" because we are now positionally saved in Christ. God continues to work in us after salvation and will do so until Jesus' return, but His expectation is that we will continue to work as well. Not work FOR our salvation - that was accomplished as a finished work by Jesus on the cross - but work OUT our salvation. You might think of it this way. Sometimes we refer to an elected official "serving out" his or her term of office. Similarly, we are to serve (or work) out our term as saved individuals in this life - being active in the things that God has elected (or saved) us to do, carrying out our Christian duties, working to build God's Kingdom, proclaiming Christ in word and deed. This is why Paul uses "action" words such as abound, deepen, advance, progress, and continue. Salvation is a call to action. Salvation is not OF works, but a command TO work!  We weren't saved simply to take a seat and wait for Jesus to return. Like Him, we are to be about our Father's business. 

That brings us to "fear and trembling."  Does God intend for us to go about life scared and frightened?  Granted, a bit of that type of fear is healthy, particularly when we were in an unsaved state and in need of conviction about our sinfulness.  I have never been a proponent of "fire and brimstone" methods that attempt to scare people into accepting The Lord, although depending on the individual situation, some may need that type of wake up call. Yes, God is love, but hell and eternal separation from God for the lost are also very real, and it is an injustice to hearers of the Gospel to not be given the full picture and to be told the consequences of rejecting Christ. But once we are saved, we no longer have to fear hell and separation from God. So why is Paul writing about fear and trembling to believers?  It's certainly not because there is a chance we might lose our salvation, which, by the way, is a concept contrary to the Word. Rather, it has to do more with the gravity of our calling. As some godly ladies in my church have said, "Being a Christian is serious business!"  Out of awe and respect for our Heavenly Father and out of a grateful heart for Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf, we ought to take our salvation and its call to work seriously. After all, it cost the very life of our Savior. Would we then take His death lightly or trivially?  No, we are called to take special care with how we live our lives as His children - not with dread and terror, but with utmost care and diligence. As one commentator writes, "This fear is self-distrust; it is tenderness of conscience; it is vigilance against temptation; It is taking heed lest we fall; it is a constant apprehension of the deceitfulness of the heart, and of the insidiousness and power of inward corruption. It is the caution and circumspection which shrinks from whatever would offend and dishonor God and the Savior."

Lord, I pray that all of us who are saved might rejoice in our salvation, not only in the understanding that we are positionally and eternally secure in You, but also taking joy in the work You have set before us to accomplish while still on this earth. Help us to take this call to work seriously and, by the power and grace supplied by Your Holy Spirit, to faithfully carry out the tasks You have assigned us - particularly that others may come to know and accept You. Amen!