Work Out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling

This passage deals with the letter the apostle Paul sent to the believers of the church in Philippi. The believers had kept the faith well while he was with them, but when their conduct became improper once they had to stand on their own, Paul urges them to humbly serve one another and reveal God's glory. Although they had been saved through Jesus' sacrifice, they showed a proud attitude and wanted to be served by their brothers; it is hard to see this as the way of holy believers who have received grace, and it can even become a sin that pushes saved souls toward death.

So Paul urges them to submit to God's word, to fear God, and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. This means striving to hold on to the grace they have received, to walk with the Holy Spirit, and to live by faith. If we cannot let go of human righteousness and give way to greed, worship and God's word begin to feel uncomfortable, and in the end we walk out of salvation of our own accord. Also, when pastors and those who intercede pray earnestly for believers, it is an important moment that gives believers the chance to be refined and to repent.

Believers must cherish and honor their brothers and sisters in the faith, covering and helping one another's shortcomings. Just as Paul, even in the midst of suffering, asked them to serve Timothy and Epaphroditus well, we must respect and love those who proclaim the word of truth. When God works for believers, believers must work along with him, and when we strive to guard our faith, the Holy Spirit helps us. If Paul prays for the believers, God will answer; how are we responding to that prayer?