Working Out Your Own Salvation

Philippians 2:12-17

Through the years, I have been told repeatedly that there are only two things a plumber needs to know. He needs to know that waste (they usually use a different word) runs down hill, and payday is on Friday.

Over the years, I learned that many who came wanting jobs as plumbers seemed to believe it. Guys came claiming to have several years experience, who had no idea how to grade pipe, what fittings to use or even what kind of pipe was required. Some could not measure accurately. And a few did not even know how to use a shovel effectively.

We reached a point where we would only hire a person on a provisional basis. We would then send him out with experienced guys to see whether he knew what he was doing, and whether he was willing to work. In effect we allowed him to work at demonstrating he was a plumber. What his pay scale he would ultimately receive, and whether he would get a permanent job were dependent on his work. Merely having a plumbing license did not mean he would do the job, even though legally, he was considered a plumber. This is the concept of working out your own salvation.

“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. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

While one may be saved, without works there is no evidence. God will produce in us both a desire to do what pleases him, and the ability to do it. Romans 8:2-5 Describes us as receiving a new mind, which makes us able. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit”

Just as the man was useless to us unless he both knew and applied the needed skills, a person who claims to be a Christian has no worth until it is applied in his life. James 2 talks about this. Until the works are seen, there is no evidence of his Christianity.

“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:18)

Without the works, the claims are as meaningless as those who claimed to be plumbers. Just as certain things are to be expected of plumbers, and should not cause complaints, certain things should not cause complaining in Christians.

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 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; 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.” (Philippians 2:14-16).

When we took a guy out and he worked well, especially one we had tried to teach, it was such a blessing to find that we had a valuable worker. It greatly relieved pressure on me, knowing that I could send him on a job and expect it to be done right. We hadn’t wasted our time in hiring him. When he completed a job, we could confidently say it was finished, and congratulate him for it. Paul hoped to be able to do the same thing with the Philippians.

“Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:17-18)