Articles
Fear And Trembling
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…”; (Philippians 2:12).
Paul commends these Philippian Christians for their past obedience and urges them to allow past victories to be an incentive to continue. He urges them not to work to please earthly teachers, but for the approval of the Heavenly Father.
He exhorts them to work out their salvation. Salvation means safety from danger and harm. In scripture it means safety of the soul from sin and eternal condemnation.
Salvation is primarily a work of God, but it requires the faith and cooperation of man. It should be one’s chief work and concern. One must keep walking in the light and must keep themselves in the love of God (1 John 1:7; Jude 21).
The Lord commands his children to “strive,” to “press” and to “give diligence” (Luke 13: 24; Phil. 3:13; 2 Peter 1:5). To “work out” or to carry to completion is a personal endeavor. No other person can do this for you. There is the need of perseverance to complete the task.
Finally, Paul says work it out with “fear and trembling.” Fear or reverence is an essential element in holy living. And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear.
One’s service to God is to be with reverence and godly fear (1 Peter 1:17; Hebrews 12:28). Hallowed be thy name must be the posture of every prayer (Matthew 6:9). Too much is at stake to take this task lightly.
Our salvation is not yet accomplished. Hopefully, it is nearer than when we first believed. As long as sin still haunts us, temptations still attack us, and troubles still threaten us, our work is not finished.
The perfecting of our soul is a life- long process. We must carry on what God has begun!
