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Work Out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling - Not Your Neighbor's Part 1

After his resurrection, there were a few things Jesus needed to attend to before his ascension into heaven. One of them was Peter's restoration after he denied Jesus. Included in this, was a conversation that I feel should be a reminder to all of us.

"Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and saith, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him. If I will that he tarry til I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." John 21:20-22. Here he had just been forgiven and restored to a right relationship with Jesus and his first concern was other people. We aren't much different. We need to remember Jesus' words. They echo what he said in Matthew 7:3-5 and Luke 6:41-42 about not worrying or focusing on others.

After the ascension of Jesus, the apostles began to expound on all that Jesus taught them, commanding them to continue to preach and teach the Gospel message. This leads me to Philippians 2:10-12 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye 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."

We need to remember that Paul was speaking to the believers in Philippi. He was encouraging them to learn about the salvation they had already received when they first believed in Jesus as their Savior. He was saying because they have salvation, they need to figure it out. What did it mean and what were they to do with it. He used this same idea when speaking to Timothy regarding an athlete in training. An athlete works out to strengthen and challenge his or her body. He tests its limits to see what it can and cannot do. The same goes for our spiritual life. What has God called us to do? How are we to live? We work out our salvation through prayer, study, and service.

When we look to John 21:20-21; Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 6:41-42, and Philippians 2:12, we can see that we are not to be consumed with how other people are doing in their relationship with God. At least not in the negative sense of harsh judgment or comparison. It is true we are to nurture and love and lead our wayward brother or sister humbly back to the Lord, but we are not to look to them as a measuring stick of our own life. Our salvation should only be based on how we respond to the word of God and the work of his Spirit in our life.

Let's learn from, and love one another while remembering we are to work out our own salvation, not our neighbor's because when we answer to God, it won't be for our neighbor but for ourself.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Romans Chapter 14

Psalm 86:11-13

In part two, we will examine the two kinds of biblical fear and how they should affect our relationship with God.

Ralph Najera

» left by Teresa^(1,351) (1 year 257 days ago.)

Thank you for this reminder. It's easy to get caught up in how others should be doing, it takes the pressure of our selves to be doing what we should be doing. We are not the Holy Spirit. There is such a fine line between teaching and encouraging and judging and we need to Holy Spirit to give us discernment and keep us in check so that we don't end up being self-righteous religiously obnoxious people.

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» left by Ralph Najera from yucca Valley CA. (1 year 257 days ago.)

Thanks mija, Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD pondereth the hearts. 

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» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow (1 year 220 days ago.)

PRAY - many times the Lord used to show something to me and I thought it was to run to that person and be prophetic - NOT. He most of the time wanted me to pray for that person and pray and pray and pray. Zipping the lips. Ah, yea, we can and do learn over time. Thanks for the reminder.

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» left by Ralph from Yucca Vly. (1 year 220 days ago.)

Hi,Marijo thank's for the input, what you stated is so true,when we are young in the Lord we want to help HIM.When HE only wants us to pray and pray and pray and zip-lock the lips.It took me some time to learn that, because i'm a slow learner(Hard Headed)and God will us unsaved people and your family to humble you. thank's again for your reminder. may the Lord continue to  bless you and yours.your bro.Ralph

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