Work out your salvation with fear & trembling

I also read v. 13 which begins with the crucial conjunction "for," meaning that it is inferential.

So this verse supports the view that it is God who empowers the believer in the process of sanctification.

Without God working in the believer's life, the believer cannot work out his salvation in sanctification.

"12 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, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (TNIV, emphasis mine)

You just cannot read v.12 without reading v.13, for both must be read together to get what Paul is saying.

 

Several Spanish translations of the Greek text have "ocupaos en vuestra salvación" = "You-must-busy-you in your salvation."

Because we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, we act accordingly. Our salvation has been secured by faith, but the fait that secured salvation will drive us to do as He taught.

 

Nice try, all who have answered. You have put a spin on this verse that would put a politcian to shame but none of you said much about the fear and trembling part. I believe with all my heart that good works is something we must do if we expect to pass through the portals of heaven. We can't do anything to earn our salvation, it is free for the asking, but we must do good works to maintain it. Every time I read Matthew 25 I experience some of that fear and trembling. Also, Paul shows some concern for the precarious nature of his own salvation. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27. I would like to debate this but I'm really busy this week, so I will tune in occasionally and read your posts as you heave volleys my way and further obscure the plain language of scripture.

 

True enough.

But they need not wait to find out.

in Matt 7 many are "surprised at the end to discover" that they are not saved.

In Rom 8:16 we see that there "is a solution" -- a way to know that you ARE saved before that final day.

In the case of the lottery "finances are pretty good for those who win the power-ball lottery". The "trick" is being the winner NOT explaining why it is so good to win. No one doubts that "winning is good" -- no one doubts that "being saved is good" the REAL issue is "are you saved"!!

As for "Fear and Trembling" -- Paul said "I buffet my body and make it my slave LEST after preaching the Gospel to others I MYSELF should be disqualified" 1Cor 9 end of chapter.

in Christ,

Bob

 

What Zenas said. Following James 2:14-26, one needs a 'true and lively faith' as per Cranmer's Homily

 

What Zenas, Bob, and Matt said...oh yeah, and what Cranmer said too.

 

When I'm trying to grow my pec's by bench pressing...I'm definately working out with fear and trembling of dropping the weight on myself. The same principal applies to "working out" our salvation. We don't want to drop the weight of the precious Gift we've been given.

 

1 John concluded he has written so that one can know that he is saved. Written what? a list of rules and guide lines. If one conforms to the rules then one can know that one is saved.

 

Not looking for a debate, but I will give my "spin" for you to take a shot at if you want. Oh, and the rest of the gang too. By the way, who is Cranmer and what is homily. Isn't it grits or something? :smilewinkgrin:

"Work our your salvation with fear and trembling."

Paul just got done explaining it was the example Christ set for us: he " made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross".

Jesus dreaded it(take this cup...). Paul was presently experiencing it in jail. He was just telling us what to expect when we give our lives to a God "which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

Later Paul contrasts Timothy, who was a faithful minister with him, with those who
"seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's."

He also praises "Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier" "for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."

These were people "enjoying" their salvation in a much different environment than you and me. We tend to have so little to fear and tremble over that we make up problems. I am thankful for this country, but it is hard to keep our focus on the truth that this life is not about THIS life.

May we all be like Paul who said he had LEARNED "how to be abased, and how to abound: every where and in all things." He was "instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."

By the way Zena, I agree that those without works as a part of "their" salvation are the ones who need to be afraid of their eternal destiny. However, it isn't what Paul is getting at here.

God bless. :godisgood:

 

Thomas Cranmer; his Homilies (not all by him, strictly speaking, but commonly attributed to him) were a series of sermons designed to 'flesh out' Anglican Reformation theology. He also was responsible for the first two post-Reformation Anglican Prayer Books.