Have you ever feared for your life? Have you faced an extremely tough situation in which you had to figure out how you would get through it? Were you forced into to doing something you would not normally do? Are you willing to go against your human inclination for eternity’s sake?
Facing a life and death situation can change our perspective for years to come. It can cause us to run amuck, taking incredible chances with our lives. It can also cause us to cherish every moment we have and turn us toward the only One who has promised us eternity.
The Apostle Paul tells the church in Philippi to work out their own salvation. He could just as easily be writing to each of us. But what does he mean? He is talking about working through our own selfishness, being willing to give it up, and turning to Christ to obtain the eternal life we all long for. When he speaks of fear and trembling, he means to be in awe of God and revere him as the sovereign king of all creation.
Most of us have not been in the presence of someone who has significant power. In our world today, we often dismiss those who are in power and look at them with no more regard than any other person we meet. We are more likely to be in awe of celebrities than rulers. No matter which person we are in awe of, we should be in far more awe of God than any of them.
We are to recognize that God is at work in each of us. He is working in us to provide us the ability and opportunity to serve him and his purposes. When we deny it, we are denying the only One who has power over us for eternal life or eternal torment. Our shortsightedness will cost us in the end. We must turn our attention to God, his Son, and his purpose for our life. That is how we work out our own salvation.
I pray we all turn our attention to God. I pray we are in awe of and revere God. I pray each one of us will work out our salvation by submitting to God and his purposes for our lives. Be in awe of God. Give God your reverence. Give up your selfishness. Work out your salvation. Commit yourself to Jesus.
Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Marty Pressey 