What does God mean when He says

[Eddy Fire]

What does God mean when he says,
"work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."?

Does He mean work it out?

Or try to with fear and trembling?

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 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. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 2:1-17

 

[faithfulservant]

We should have genuine intimacy with God, and that intimacy should bring a real sense of awe and reverance upon us. It's amazing that we lowly, little creatures are considered by God enough to actually have a real relationship with Him! We raise up prayers and supplications and He responds with protection, deliverance, and provision. And all because He loved us first.

Of course, this kind of intimacy will also bring about greater obedience on our part and a greater understanding of the depth of His mercy, love, and grace.

Also, not always, but sometimes, and in this case, the word fear is actually "reverence."

 

[Eddy Fire]

We should have genuine intimacy with God, and that intimacy should bring a real sense of awe and reverance upon us. It's amazing that we lowly, little creatures are considered by God enough to actually have a real relationship with Him! We raise up prayers and supplications and He responds with protection, deliverance, and provision. And all because He loved us first.

Of course, this kind of intimacy will also bring about greater obedience on our part and a greater understanding of the depth of His mercy, love, and grace.

Also, not always, but sometimes, and in this case, the word fear is actually "reverence."

Yes. What about trembling? and do we have to work it out, our salvation, as He says? Or can we ignore that part or reason it away?

 

[james1523]

What does God mean when he says,
"work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."?

Does He mean work it out?

Or try to with fear and trembling?

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 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. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Philippians 2:1-17

This is about taking Christ as our example (read verses 5-11), Paul is telling us to do what Christ did.. humble himself and by His obedience the Father glorified Him. (verses 8 and 9).
To work out means to carry out to full conclusion. Paul is saying to carry out your salvation to its full conclusion by humbling yourself and being obedient so that we will receive praise from the Father. We have received salvation as a free gift and now we must work it out by obedience in fear and trembling. This is by taking Christ as our example to live a crucified life.. and the salvation spoken of here is not salvation from God's condemnation or hellfire it is salvation from every day things of the world that Christ delivers and separates us from so we can be holy.

Fear and trembling.. fear is the inward feeling and trembling is the result of that fear:
Eph 6:5 Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling; and do it with a sincere heart, as though you were serving Christ.

In obeying God we should do so with fear and trembling.

The word fear here does mean to be afraid... not merely reverence/respect, although there is an element of that too... to be afraid causes trembling.. to be reverent/respectful does not. We should be afraid of disobeying God such that He may punish us like He struck down the two who lied to the Holy Spirit. John 5:14 "sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee".

The presence of God brings fear, because He is Holy and all-powerful. Whenever a person meets the Lord or a holy angel there is a sense of fear and that's why the first thing they say is "do not be afraid".
This fear causes us to have a respectful reverence of God and allows us to obey Him.
Luke 12:5 "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."

 

[Eddy Fire]

To work out means to carry out to full conclusion.
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The word fear here does mean to be afraid... not merely reverence/respect, although there is an element of that too... to be afraid causes trembling.. to be reverent/respectful does not. We should be afraid of disobeying God such that He may punish us like He struck down the two who lied to the Holy Spirit. John 5:14 "sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee".

The presence of God brings fear, because He is Holy and all-powerful. Whenever a person meets the Lord or a holy angel there is a sense of fear and that's why the first thing they say is "do not be afraid".
This fear causes us to have a respectful reverence of God and allows us to obey Him.
Luke 12:5 "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."

Brother

have you known this fear?

"To work out means to carry out to full conclusion."
a bit like working out a mathematical sum or perhaps building a house?
Until it is finished it is still in progress or incomplete yet while not lacking as it has the materials or fact and figures all within itself, it needs to be worked out?

There are some Scriptures that come to mind about this where we are told that there is a fulness that we race towards and a crown yet to be worn?

work it out with fear and trembling

 

[Eric E Stahl]

We are saved unto good works. We are to edify the body of Christ by using our spiritual gifts.1 Corinthians 14:12 We are ambassadors for Christ to the world 2 Corinthians 5:19

Many Christians are coasting through life with their ticket to heaven.

We and our works or lack of works will face judgment and only what is done for the glory of God will survive the fire of judgment to be rewarded.1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Being a Christians is a serious thing which should not be taken lightly.

So "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

 

[james1523]

"To work out means to carry out to full conclusion."
a bit like working out a mathematical sum or perhaps building a house?
Until it is finished it is still in progress or incomplete yet while not lacking as it has the materials or fact and figures all within itself, it needs to be worked out?

Exactly Brother I think that. Building is the term used in scripture. God is a Builder. After He saves us , He then wants to build us. But He needs our cooperation, our obedience. What is God building? God is building a spiritual city:
Heb 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

What is the material for this city that God is building? It is His people in Christ.. we are living stones being built up as a spiritual house:
1 Peter 2:5 "you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ"

The material God uses for this building is Christ:, God is building Christ into us:
Gal 4:19 "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,"

We are saved from hellfire by faith and by our cooperation and obedience God builds Christ into us over time so that we look more like Him.. all of us together with Christ built into us is the holy city built by God, God's dwelling place. Rev 21:3 "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."
Salvation (from hell fire) is free gift of grace received by faith. But having Christ built into us requires effort on our part and costs us something, it costs us our self, we deny our self, take up cross and follow Him. This is "working out" our salvation.

Building refers to the things that we are building into our soul (mind, emotions, will). In future how we build will be tested by fire (1 Cor 3:10).. the only thing that will past the test of fire is gold, silver, and costly stones, which signifies our experience of the Father (gold), the Son (silver) and the Holy Spirit (costly stones) in Christ. If we have built with wood, hay or straw.. we will suffer loss..but still be saved - 1 Cor 3:15 "If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.". Wood, hay and straw signifies the things of the natural man and the flesh, such as Judaism, philosophy, culture, man's traditions.

Consider these scriptures about building:
1 Cor 3:10- "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds." If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

Heb 3:4 "For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God."

Heb 6:1 "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God"

Christ is our foundation (that is, He lives in and with our spirit), but then how do we build upon this foundation (do we allow His Spirit to work into our soul)? Over the rest of our life on earth do we build natural things or spiritual things into our soul? Do we build with works of the law, the flesh, traditions of man, mans knowledge, philosophies etc , or do we build with Christ? Some Christians after salvation do not pursue a personal relationship with Christ, but instead build theology and philosophy and elements of other religions and things of the flesh (lusts, idols etc) into their soul after salvation. This is wood, hay, straw. Other Christians enjoy spending time with the Lord in prayer and the bible and experiencing the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.. this is gold, silver, precious stones as it says here 2 Cor 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Being transformed into the image of Christ is the result of Christ being built into us by our obedience and cooperation with Him. This is like the saying "you are what you eat". If we "eat" things of the natural man, of the world, we will look like natural men.. if we "eat" Christ, we will look like Christ.

 

[Barny]

the word fear is actually "reverence."

faithfulservant is correct, "fear" is speaking of "reverence". It can also mean love.

And as for the "trembling", in Phil 2:12, this speaks of knowing chastisement.
God chastises those He loves, Heb 12:6-11
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Even Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered.
Heb 5:8
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Phil 2:14 says, in relation to our working out our own salvation:
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Israel murmured against God in the wilderness. And many of them did not enter the promised land because of their unbelief.
1Cor 10:9-11
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Christians are likewise in a wilderness experience in this life. Hence we should continue to trust in God, enduring to the end in believing in Jesus, and not murmur against Him, doubting His promises. Trust in Him

2Pet 1:10
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Endure to the end believing in Jesus. This is working out your own salvation.

 

[faithfulservant]

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). But when love has been perfected in us, it will cast out all fear we have of God (1 John 4:17-18) because fear has to do with condemnation. If we know Jesus by spending time with Him we should have no fear of Him at His return. That's not to say that a believer may need a dose of the fear of the LORD again in his walk if he is wandering or backsliding. May God have mercy on us all with such fear if we do!

 

[james1523]

This is fear and trembling:

Jer 5:22-24 Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.'

Prov 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.
Exodus 20:18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."
1 Cor 2:3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,
2 Pe 1:17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
Ps 2:11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.
Luke 23:40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?