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, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. ~ Philippians 2:12-13
I don’t understand churches that teach that you can live any old way you want because you have absolutely no responsibility in your salvation, when obviously Paul said, yes, you most assuredly do. You have a big part to play in your salvation. Matter of fact, you have all of the responsibility in working out your salvation.
Look at what he wrote. He commended them for their obedience; then he encouraged them to continue in that obedience. But notice, it was not just continue, it was continue much more, working out their own salvation with fear and trembling. Now, how can they say we have no responsibility in our salvation?
Listen to what he wrote to the Roman Church, 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Romans 2:13
In other words, it doesn’t matter how much you go to church. It doesn’t even matter how much you read the Bible. I know that sounds a little out there, but it’s true. You can go to church every day and twice on Sundays and read your Bible for hours on end, and it will not matter when you stand before God’s throne if you are not obedient to God’s Word. Paul warned us it is not the hearers that are righteous but the doers that are justified. In other words, it is not the churchgoers; it is not the Bible readers, but only the obedient that will be justified.
So, I want to encourage you today to put some effort in your Christian walk. Get involved with your own salvation, and work it out with fear and trembling. Do not be a hearer only, but be a doer. Be who God has called you to be. You are called for much more than just a benchwarmer. You are called to do a mighty work for Jesus, but you can’t if you are just sitting on the bench, or if you are wavering between two opinions. You are either hot or you are cold. The lukewarm will be spewed out of God’s mouth.
Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a forgiving God and are not waiting in heaven for me to make a mistake so that You can swat me. But in great love and abounding mercy, You forgive all who repent. Thank You that You remember that I am but dust, and You look at me with compassion. Help me to live my life for You, working out my salvation with much fear and trembling. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.