| How to Work Out Your Salvation (Philippians 2:12-13) |
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2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 2:13 for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Have you ever heard that you have to work to keep your salvation? Many groups teach just that, and use this passage to back up their claim. I want you to know, though, that the opposite is taught in these verses. The phrase "work out your own salvation" refers to the process of sanctification, that process where we grow closer to God each day by being conformed to the image of His Son Jesus. The next verse tells us that it is in fact God who works in us to accomplish this process. The word translated work in verse 13 is the Greek word energeo, from which we get our word energize. So then, it is God who energizes us with His Spirit to accomplish His purpose, which is the continuing process of sanctification.
So don't worry-if you have surrendered your heart to Christ, you CANNOT lose your salvation! |
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