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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
– Philippians 2:12-13
My daughters will have many tales to share about growing up under my influence. Among their reflections will undoubtedly be their long-suffering under “dad jokes.” One in particular consistently surfaces when we travel. As you know, passengers (especially children) are known for asking, “Are we there yet?” When my daughters have asked that question, the response they often have received is, “No, we are not there. We will never be there. We will always be here. Wherever we are, it is here, not there.” If you picture eye rolls and exasperated sighs following that response, you have caught a glimpse into the life of our family.
Writing to a group of believers in Philippi, the apostle Paul reminds his hearers of this reality regarding their faith journey. They are not there yet. Paul himself is not there yet. Until the day of Christ Jesus (1:6; 2:16) they will not be there. God has begun a good work in them, but it is not yet finished (1:6). Not only was it true for the Christians in Philippi, it was true also for Paul. He has this in mind as he reflects on his present situation of being imprisoned and being uncertain if he will make it out alive. For Paul, dying would be great because it would mean being with Jesus. At the same time, living would be profitable for the ongoing work of the Kingdom (see vs. 21-26). As he weighs the benefits of both possibilities, Paul is in so many words “working out” what his ongoing journey will look like. He becomes convinced that God has specific work remaining for him on earth. At this point, Paul isn’t there yet, so he keeps leaning into the days ahead in faith that God will work through him God’s good pleasure.
When read without context, the phrase “work out your own salvation” can sound a bit odd and lend itself to a variety of interpretations. When read in the context of Paul’s letter, the meaning Paul had in mind becomes more obvious. To apply it in our own lives, we can begin by reminding ourselves what we mean when we speak of our salvation. Christian salvation is the participation by faith in the death of Christ so that we may participate in the resurrected life of Christ. In Romans 6:4 Paul says, “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Colossians 2:12 expresses the same thing. We participate in Christ’s death so that we may participate in Christ’s life. This is our salvation.
What, then, does it mean to “work out our salvation?” It means to ask of ourselves, “What is Christ desiring to do through me?” Remember, it is his life, not our own. This is the question Paul answers for himself as he sits in prison. It is the question he invites the Philippian believers to answer. It is the question scripture invites us to answer, and to do so with fear and trembling because it is one of the most central questions we can ask. As long as we are drawing life’s breath in these earthly bodies—whether sitting in a prison cell, an office complex, or a church pew—we are called continuously to work out our participation in the life of Christ for the glory of God.
You and I are not there yet. One day we will be. The there will be here in the glorious Kingdom. Until then keep working out the life of Christ through you, trusting that God will perfect it in his own time and his own way.
See you along the Winding Path.
The Winding Path 