“Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Philippians 2:12-13

Do you ever ask yourself, “Is there anything more to this life in Christ?” Do you ever get to the point where you wonder if you’ve “been there and done that” and so you don’t have anything else to offer–anything else to do–when it comes to life as a Christian? If so, the Apostle Paul has a message for you.

In his letter to the church at Philippi, he let them know that he wasn’t sure whether he would ever see them again. He reminded them more than once that he was in chains. The executioner could show up any day and his life on earth would be over. So, what did he expect of them?

He tells them to “work on your own salvation with fear and trembling.” This is one of those verses that has been taken out of context so many times. I do like the NRSV translation that says to work “on” your own salvation as opposed to “work out your own salvation.” 

Also, “with fear and trembling” can be thought of as “using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ.”

In other words, Paul reminds believers that we are a work in progress. He reminds us that our spiritual journeys are not to be taken lightly. He reminds us that we have not “arrived” spiritually. He reminds us to continue the course that we have begun in our walk with Christ.

And these admonitions apply to all of us–whether we are brand new believers or seasoned mature believers. There is always a next step in the life of a follower of Christ. 

And here’s the beautiful part of it all: “…for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” God does not expect for us to work on or work out ANYTHING in our spiritual lives by ourselves. No, God is at work in us…enabling us to figure out that next step. He has been there with us every step of the way and He’s not going anywhere.

We are a work in progress for God…a work that works for His good pleasure. “Work on your own salvation with fear and trembling…”

May we continue that work.