Work Out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling

This passage is part of the letter the apostle Paul sent to the believers of the church in Philippi, and it deals with how to live by faith when one is alone, outside the church. Paul emphasizes that while it is easy to keep the faith when we are together, when we are alone we must obey God's word through our own effort alone. Pointing out that even after receiving grace the believers are showing arrogant attitudes and behaving in ways that offend their brothers and sisters, he warns that such attitudes can become a sin that pushes saved souls toward death.

The sermon explains that the words 'work out your own salvation with fear and trembling' describe a process of guarding the grace we have received, walking with the Holy Spirit, and making an effort. Salvation is accomplished by God's work, but believers must treasure that grace and take the trouble to flip the switch that turns on the light. If people cannot let go of human righteousness and greed and neglect worship and God's word, they end up drifting away from salvation, and this becomes a dangerous moment when Satan can approach. It also conveys that we can grow only when we treasure the people who give us advice that is hard to hear, and obey those words.

God is constantly at work for the salvation of believers, but if we do not work together with him, we cannot receive God's blessing. With Paul praying at the risk of his life for the believers' repentance, the believers must acknowledge their weakness and turn back quickly. When they honor their brothers and sisters in the faith, serve one another, and keep a humble heart, God sees their good deeds and grants them special grace. We should consider how we will receive this earnest plea from Paul, and how we will keep our faith with fear and trembling.