Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)
There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation and the Bible is clear that we are saved by grace alone (Eph. 2:8-9), so what can Paul mean by “work out your own salvation”? The word used here, “katergazomai” has a sense of ‘working it out’ and Paul clarifies in the very next verse that “it is God who is working in you.”
His desire is that we would diligently and passionately pursue God’s purposes in our lives that we would be able to present ourselves to the world “blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation.” When we learn we are to control our speech for good and avoid any form of gossip, do we ignore those commands? When we hear the sinfulness of selfishness or laziness, do we justify it because we have done much for others, so we deserve some comfort and rest? When reminded of our mission to tell people the good news of Jesus, do we wait for ‘the next time’ or ‘just let my life do the talking’?
Do we take God seriously, and as a child feels ‘fear and trembling’ to not disappoint a parent, teacher, or authority? By holding firm to the word of life and putting in effort and work to bring glory to God, we will be able to rejoice in the day of Christ as we shine like stars in the world and testify to His work and purpose displayed in our lives.