Work It Out
“…Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose.’ Philippians 2:12-13
Today’s Scripture almost sounds like a contradiction, but it is actually a paradox. A paradox is a ‘seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated proves to be well-founded or true.’
The key to understanding this particular paradox lies in the word ‘work-out’. Notice that the Bible doesn’t say, ‘Work for your salvation, because to work for something means to earn it, deserve it or merit it.
The Bible plainly teaches that salvation isn’t something we have to work for or earn. It’s a free gift of God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8–9.
Therefore, when the Bible says, ‘Work out your salvation,’ it is talking about a ‘spiritual workout’.
During a physical work out, you develop and tone the muscles God has already provided you.
To ‘work out’ means to grow and make the most of what you have been given.
This means developing your spiritual life! God has a part in our spiritual growth, and we, too, have a part. He provides the power, but we must access it, flip the switch, and let it flow through our lives to fulfil His will for us.
Practically speaking, it translates to spending time praying, and reading and meditating on God’s Word each day. By sharpening and strengthening one another through fellowship. By exercising the gifts God has given us. The fact is, He has already done His part; now it’s up to you to do yours.