QUESTION: If salvation has nothing to do with our own works, how do you explain Philippians 2:12, "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"?
ANSWER: There are two very important rules in determining just what a Bible verse means. Number one, we must look carefully at the context of a verse. We must know to whom is it being written, and what the person is writing about. Number two, does the suggested meaning of the verse appear to harmonize with the rest of the scriptures on that particular subject?
Let’s apply this principle to the passage above. It is very important to note that Paul is writing to people who are already saved. He is encouraging them to live out what they already have within them. God provides completed salvation to all those who repent of their sins, and believe in their hearts that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, died for our sins at Calvary and arose from the dead.
This thought is supported in Philippians 1:6 which states, "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ." This verse is saying that when we accept Christ (or get saved), the Holy Spirit starts a good work of salvation in us, and HE will finish it.
One wise Bible teacher explains this in an simple illustration. We were drowning in a lake during a storm unable to save ourselves. The Lord comes in His boat and pulls us in. We know He will get us to the shore. However, the storm still exists and we must keep trusting Him as He finishes getting us to the shore.
Philippians 3:21 notes, "Who (Christ) shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body...." This is the completion of that good work. The writer to the Philippians is pointing out that they should let God do His continuing work in them, by yielding in obedience to God's working in their lives.
We cannot work for our salvation, but we can hinder the working of God in our salvation. We should note that the Bible does not say we work FOR our salvation, but work OUT our salvation.
Romans 11:6 says, "And if BY GRACE it is no more WORKS. But if by WORKS it is no more GRACE…” The Lord Jesus paid our sin debt in full. It is a gift that must be freely received. His grace alone works His salvation in all who trust Him.
