SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1336

“Work Out”

Therefore, …as you have always obeyed, so now, …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. – Phil 2:12-13

At first blush our reference Scripture seems to conflict with the Truth of the Gospel. We see the words ‘work’ and ‘salvation’ in the same sentence and jump to the wrong conclusion.

Target Audience: First, we need to understand that this Scripture verse is speaking only to those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and through the Holy Spirit have the abiding presence of Jesus in their heart.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

Do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – 2 Corinthians 13:5

Meaning: Second, we need to understand what this Scripture is not saying. It does not say that we are to work for our salvation, but rather, to work it out. Furthermore, it is God who works in us to fulfill His plan and purpose in our lives.

He saved us, not because of our works but according to His mercy; all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. – Titus 3:4-5; Isaiah 64:6

For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

Application: So, what does it mean to ‘work out your salvation’? How do we apply the Truth of this Word to our daily lives?

I offer this analogy: As a senior citizen, my dues to a gym membership were paid for me. It was a free offer that I accepted. I did not have to work for it or earn it. It was a gift given to me for the benefit of my physical health. But now, I must ‘work out’ and use this gift not only for my benefit but also for the indirect benefit of others who stand to gain if I remain healthy.

In like manner, as a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, freely saved by grace, the Holy Spirit dwells in me. This is for the benefit of my spiritual health and for the benefit of others when I work out my salvation, by letting His light shine and the gifts of His Spirit produce beneficial fruit in me and others to the glory of God.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. – Romans 8:9

Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come; In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – 1 Timothy 4:7-8; Matthew 5:16

Evidence – Physical and Spiritual: When I work out on a regular basis it shows in my posture, physique, and overall health and well-being. When I work out my salvation on a regular basis it shows through the character of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit being manifested in my life.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ… so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. – 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. – John 15:8

Our Work Out Prayer: I bow my knees before the Father …that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love … may be filled with all the fullness of God; so that you may … bear fruit for God..- Ephesians 3:14-17; Romans 7:4

May you remain spiritually fit, anytime and all the time.