Work Out Your Own Salvation

“Work Out Your Own Salvation”
Tim Haile, for the Parkway church of Christ

Though Bible students are always pleased to hear Scripture cited, they also know that Scripture can easily be taken out of context and misapplied. When context is properly represented, partial citations can be applied effectively. However, misapplication is far more likely to occur when partial citations are made. This may come as a surprise to some folks, but Bible verses are not established by their subject matter! Translators use chapter and verse numbers, not to distinguish topics, but to expedite study. Some Bible subjects span more than just one verse or even one chapter of Scripture. Partial Scripture citations can be dangerous if the context is not taken into consideration.

The words of our title come from Philippians 2:12. The very next verse begins with “for,” which introduces reason. Thus, verse 13 definitely needs to be considered with verse 12. Paul said, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only 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.”

In an effort to prove that salvation is obtainable through many different organizations, ways, paths and methods, some people cite only the words, “work out your own salvation.” But is Paul really telling people that they are at liberty to be saved however they choose? Is he saying that every person is authorized by God to concoct his own scheme of redemption? No, Paul’s admonition has a context. Notice that, just before this admonition, Paul had commended these saints for their sincere obedience. There can be no obedience without command to obey! Whose commands did they obey? Then, immediately after the admonition, he said that this obedience amounted to God working “in” them. The conclusion is unavoidable: These saints “worked out” their “own salvation” by obeying God’s will! They did not “work out their own salvation” by obeying their own will. Salvation is for those who “do the will of God” (Matthew 7:21). This can be demonstrated by reading the account of their conversion in the book of Acts. The Philippians were told to believe and be baptized, and that is what they did (Acts 16:30-33). They did exactly what Jesus had told the apostles to tell people to do (Mark 16:16). One “works out his own salvation” by knowing and obeying God (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

Visit our website at www.parkwaychurchofchrist.com. View past articles at http://parkwayarticles.blogspot.com. Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: timhaile@mac.com.