Work It Out Series

Working it Out

Philippians 2:12-13

(12) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as 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.

Philippians 1:27

(27) Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Eph 4:1-6

(1) I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

(2) with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

(3) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(4) There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--

(5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

(6) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

EOLS: Salvation is by Grace, but God gives us the opportunity to work out our personal maturation.

“Working out our salvation” means living out the faith we have in Christ. It is virtually the same thing as “conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel”. Working out our salvation is a life-long process, as can be seen by the present tense of the imperative. It is something we “keep on doing.” (Bible.org)

He exhorts as if he were an Arminian in addressing men. He prays as if he were a Calvinist in addressing God and feels no inconsistency in the two attitudes. Paul makes no attempt to reconcile divine sovereignty and human free agency, but boldly proclaims both. (A.W. Robertson)

Salvation is a glorious word!

We can go deep into what it means. One of the Greek words, the one used here is “soteria.” As a matter of fact the theological study of all things related to salvation is “soteriology.” It’s derived from the same root as “sozo” which is usually translated “saved.”

The Greek word is much richer and descriptive than its English translation.

If you talk to people who are not familiar with “church talk” or “Christianese” you’ll get some funny looks and reactions when you talk about being saved. I remember telling you the story of when I was determined to talk to my soccer buddies at twelve years old. I asked Robby and Vincent “Hey, have y’all been saved?” They began to ask “saved from what, like drowning?” I got completely frustrated. I realized that the word as we know it is very limited, and it difficult shows the limitation of our English translation. But those of us who have been saved understand the full import of it.

Sozo/Soteria goes way farther than simply our being saved from punishment or something bad. It fully denotes an abundant life (John 10:10) and it includes a healing and wholeness in the soul, deliverance not just from transgression and punishment but from bondages. It is a full, meaningful life that we are saved TO. We are saved from God’s wrath, and to an abundant life, and toward Heaven.

There’s also a very real sense in which salvation is not a point in time, but rather a line. It is a process that is on-going.

A Biblical View of Salvation

Past-I was saved Present: I am being saved Future: I will be saved

Ephesians 2:8-for by Grace we HAVE BEEN saved by faith

2Co 4:16-17- We are BEING saved

(16) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

(17) For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

1Peter 1:4-5 We WILL BE saved

(4) to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

(5) who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Salvation’s work was finished on the cross of Calvary by Christ. There’s nothing I could do to earn it, it was given to me by grace when I came to Christ and repented of my sins. Yet that is only the beginning!

The Bible teaches that God is doing a continuing work in my life, which will culminate in that day when I stand before Him when life’s race is finished.

All along the line, I am able to experience abundant life that lies outside the circumstances and the externals.