Philippians 2: 12-13

Philippians 2: 12-13 12 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. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. In these verses Paul is encouraging the believers in Philippi to continue on in their devotion to Christ. Not an emotional commitment nor just an intellectual assent to following Christ but an actual determined effort to let the life of Christ placed within them at salvation have preeminence in their life. I believe Paul uses the terms fear and trembling to emphasise the seriousness of the matter and also the importance of applying all diligence to letting the salvation work done by Christ on the inside be evident in the bodily life of the believer. Paul clarifies why it is so important to strive to work out our salvation and also why we have the blessed hope of it becoming a reality. It is important because it is God Himself who is working inside of us, it would be very unwise for a believer not to cooperate with their Saviour, Creator of all things and the only hope for mankind. Additionally, we can have confidence that we have the power to work out our salvation because it is God who is at work. Our part is to make every effort to be in absolute surrender to God, His part is to work is almighty power within us, Ephesians 3: 20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.