May 16
Work it out
Philippians 2:12

 

  1. 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.
  1. Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out—cultivate, carry out to the goal and fully complete—your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling [self-distrust, that is, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation; timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ]. (Amplified Bible)

 

Cultivate, carry out to the goal and fully complete your own salvation.  Jesus has done all that needed to be done to complete the work of salvation.  When He died He said, "it is finished."  When He arose and ascended into Heaven He sat down.  It’s done.  As far as His part is concerned (Although He’s still there interceding for us thank God).

Now we have to do our part to cultivate, carry out to the goal and fully complete our salvation.  Each of us has to do it for ourselves.  We can’t do it for each other.  We are to do this with an attitude of fear or reverential awe.  We are to be alert and watchful, sensitive to the Spirit, backing away from what might offend our Heavenly Father or discredit our Lord Jesus Christ.

We’re not to be boastful and arrogant in working out our salvation.  As we recognize and acknowledge we didn’t do anything initially and still don’t do anything now to earn our salvation, but it’s only by grace through faith that we are saved, it will be easier to have an attitude of gratitude while working out our salvation.

 

Confession:

I will work out my own salvation carefully to avoid showing disrespect to the Father in any way.  I’ll not be presumptuous and take His grace and mercy for granted.  I will complete and carry out His will for my life but not while being boastful of myself.

 

 

Obedience is a tree of life!