Work Out Your Salvation

Note from today’s Bible reading: Philippians 1-2

Many people in the religious world wonder about whether there is a connection between salvation and obedience. Salvation is necessary because we were lost in our sins. God, through His grace, offers us a chance to be saved.

Since God’s grace is absolutely essential for salvation, many assume that obedience has no connection to salvation. Yet this is not a necessary conclusion to draw. In fact, the New Testament makes it clear that we are expected to do certain things to be saved.

One such passage is found in Paul’s letter to the brethren in Philippi. He wrote, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

Salvation is only possible because God made it available to us. Yet Paul stated that they were to do certain things in order to obtain this salvation. They were to obey the Lord’s will so that they could take advantage of the grace He had extended to them. The same thing is necessary for us today.

So work out your salvation. Recognize that the hope of eternal life is only available because of God’s grace. Yet rather than thinking that God expects nothing from us, let us be diligent to do His will so that we can be saved in the end.