Work Out Your Salvation With Fear And Trembling

TEXT: Phil 2:12-13 (NIV)

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

SALVATION - A PRICELESS GIFT

Salvation is obtained free of charge. Though free, a huge ransome was paid to make it available to you and I. "God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world" (1 Cor 7:23). Do not toy with your salvation. Don't allow men or the world to play 'ping pong' with your salvation. It is only a pig, after it has been washed clean, will merrily go back to wallow in dirty mud. Salvation is the most expensive gift a human being can get. It is so priceless that its value in monetary terms cannot be quantified. Working out your salvation with fear and trembling entails total obedience to God's word and a deep reverence and respect for God. Psalms 2:11 says: "Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling."

The Lord will grant you the grace required to guard your salvation with all diligence in Jesus name.

1 Peter 1:18 says concerning the value of salvation: "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value.It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." There is therefore a great need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling by living a holy lifestyle that is pleasing to God. Seeing that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Eph 2:8), let's not frustrate this wonderful grace bestowed on us by toying with sin. The grace of God will not be vain in your life in Jesus name.

SALVATION CANNOT BE BOUGHT WITH MONEY

Apostle Peter warns all believers in 2 Pet 2:20-22 (NLT): "And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. They prove the truth of this proverb: A dog returns to its vomit. And another says, A washed pig returns to the mud."

The present situation in christiandom calls for sober reflection. A lot of mutilated doctrines are flying in the air and many believers seeking convenience are riding on them. From the pulpit to the pew, many people wear whatever they like, say whatever they think and do whatever they want in the church. They no longer have any regard for the cross, the altar or the word of God. Some churches are now market places where the price of salvation is negotiated and paid for in human currencies. They forget that salvation is a gift and cannot be bought with money or eye service. Don"t join them, God is watching; he knows those that are genuinely serving him. The pleasures of this world will not take you away from God's presence in Jesus name.

WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION

Satan is ready to throw the 'world' at your feet to draw you away from the presence of God.

King David almost slipped when he allowed the pleasures of the flesh and pride of life to entice him into adultery and murder. The mercy of God availed for him and the joy of his salvation was restored (2 Sam 11:1-17).

Once saved is not always saved. Salvation can be lost. Demas went back to the world. He lost his salvation. Paul lamented concerning him: "Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica..." (2 Tim 4:10). He went back to his vomit, electing to wallow in worldly pleasures rather than working out his salvation with fear and trembling. Like Judas Iscariot, he lost his salvation.

Take heed of Apostle Peter's advice and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Live a holy life, serve God with reverent fear and trembling, keep the faith. Flee from all appearance of sin.

Satan will not deceive you and make a mockery of your salvation. You will not be a castaway after bringing others to the Kingdom of Light in Jesus name.

CONCLUSION

Consider Romans 11:22:

"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."