Philippians 2:12-18

Work Out Your Salvation

This is not promoting salvation by works but Paul is reminding the Philippians to stay consistent with their sanctification. We are saved by faith and not by works. Eph. 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NASB95)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Though we are saved by faith, we should continue to be more Christlike. This is the sanctification process. The obvious question is how do I become more Christlike. I have some scriptures that will help.

Philippians 3:13 NASB95

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

Paul tells us that we are not to regard our past as a success or a failure but to continue following Christ day by day until He calls us home. This means that we should not let our past sins prevent us from serving Christ in the way he calls. Conversely, we should not allow pat success to cause us to be complacent in our calling.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB95

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Paul tells us that we should always be abounding in the work of the Lord. There is never a time where we can say we are finished. The life He gives, He expects for us to live on purpose for Him and His kingdom.

2 Corinthians 7:1 NASB95

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Paul tells us to cleanse ourselves from sin and pursue holiness in the fear of God. The fear of God is what enables us to put away sin and pursue holiness. It is when we lose our fear of God that we become more vulnerable to sin. A healthy fear of God is another way to become more Christlike.

Galatians 6:7–9 (NASB95)

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Our lives should be manifested by good works. These good works must be Spirit lead. When we do good works in the Spirit we will reap eternal life

2 Peter 1:5–11 (NASB95)

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

God Works In You

Paul reminds us that we do not have to do this by ourselves. He has given us His Holy Spirit to do the good works for His good pleasure. It is our job to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. We have a choice.

Romans 8:5–15 (NASB95)

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

Mind set on flesh is death.

Mind set on Spirit is life and peace.

Flesh is hostile towards God and cannot please Him

Living in the flesh puts to death the things of the flesh.

Living according to the Spirit shows that you are a Child of God.

Do All Things Without Complaining or Arguing.

We should follow Christ by the leading of the Spirit with joy and thanksgiving, not out of duty or burden. When we do this we will show the world that Christ is our rightful King and that we find satisfaction and gratification in serving Him.

We should hold fast to the Word of God. It is our guidebook for life. It shows us everything that we are to do in this life through its principles. It addresses every aspect of life. When we apply those principles to our lives, we demonstrate that we do not belong to this world but to our Heavenly Father.

The result of working out your salvation by the leading of the Spirit without complaining will lead to joy!