#23 Now What? Part 1
Before we get to our responsibility as an entire body, each member needs to be strong and in that line of thinking Paul encourages us to:
"…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12-13).
Wait…what...works? I thought we weren’t under the law of works any longer!
You’re right, we’re not! Don’t confuse this verse with the false doctrine of good works for salvation, (Eph 2:8-9, Rom 3:20, Titus 3:5)
Our responsibility is to build each other up in the doctrine that is specific to the Body of Christ, with a serious and purposeful attitude. The moment we trust Christ's finished work on our behalf we are justified. It’s a done deal! The Spirit works in salvation immediately, securing our inheritance forever, (Eph 1:13). You are sealed, and have access to all spiritual blessing in Christ, right now (Eph 1:3). From there the Holy Spirit works out in our daily living, what will ultimately be maturity in our walk with the Lord through continued study, a more steadfast faith, and a greater understanding of our new role in the Body of Christ as one unified entity, (Rom. 8:14).
Phil 2:12 could not be carried out without the power behind verse 13. Just as we could do nothing to save ourselves, we depend on the power of the Holy Spirit for growth and understanding of his word after salvation.
We were saved by grace through faith in Christ’s work, so we are to live in such a way that others might see that difference. Not for boasting on our part, but for boasting in Christ and because he is our hope of glory, (Col 1:27).
We need to make the best of every opportunity that comes our way for the preaching of Gospel of the Grace of God through the fellowship of the mystery (Eph 3:9) so that all men might see and come to the knowledge of the truth.
A good prayer would be, “Father, work out what you have already worked in me, that you would be magnified and glorified in the work that was done to save me through the death, burial and resurrection of your son, Jesus.”
What God works in ~ he also works out.