Work Out What God Works in Us

Philippians 2:12-13 portrays a beautiful interplay of God's sovereignty and His children's responsibility. After reminding the believers in Philippi of the humble obedience of Christ, Paul encouraged them to continue their obedience by working out their salvation with humility, awe, reverence, and dependence upon God. We're not saved by good works but we're saved to do good works. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:8-10) "Working out our salvation" refers to bearing fruit of salvation, growing in holiness/Christlikeness, loving what God loves & hating what God hates, living out the gospel of God's grace, persevering in the faith through trials, putting our faith in action, obeying God & doing His will. "To escape the error of salvation by works, we have fallen into the opposite error of salvation without obedience." (A.W. Tozer)

Verse 13 explains how God makes it possible for us to continually work out our salvation. The Holy Spirit who indwells us works in us to will (He gives us the desire) and to act (He gives us the power & ability) to achieve His purpose for His good pleasure. God saves and justifies us by grace through faith; He also transforms and sanctifies us by grace through faith. I'm so grateful that God doesn't expect me to work out my salvation all by myself with my own strength.

God's sovereignty (His divine enablement) does not negate our responsibility (obedience). God gives us free will. We can choose to submit, obey, and cooperate with what God the Holy Spirit is doing in us or we can choose to resist Him and disobey Him. God works in us (His part) so that we can work out with hope and confidence (our part). It gives God pleasure to see us love, serve, obey, and honor Him.

Prayer: May F B Meyer's prayer also be our prayer:
"O God work in me, not only to will
but to do of Thy good pleasure;
and may I work out in daily life
what Thou dost work in. AMEN."