Think on These Things

_October
1997

...with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Please read the context of this quotation. See that Paul is urging members of the church that was at Philippi (Phil. 1:1) to "be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind ..." (2:2). Then he went on to command them to "have this mind that was also in Christ Jesus" (2:5), and he described how Jesus left his heavenly home and emptied himself of his "equality with God" humbling himself in obedience to God to the extent that he died on the cross for our sins. He described how Jesus was exalted above every name, and the judgment (2:9-11).

With these facts presented as to the cause, Paul states (Phil. 2:12): "So then, my beloved, even 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 who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure."

The command: "work out your own salvation" is as clear as any other command given in the bible. It is a call for individual action; for each and every Christian to look deeply within ourselves and to be perfectly honest in recognizing what we discover. Do we find "both to will and to work" for God’s good pleasure? Are we allowing the righteousness of God to work within us? Or, are we proud of our own works?

In this issue we explore the New Testament teaching on works in order to understand just what it is that Paul meant when he gave us this command. We urge you to read prayerfully as you endeavor to understand an issue that seems to confuse so many.

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You Find the Answers

These bible study questions provide assistance to you in studying and teaching God's word. The answers are quite clear, and they prove that we can have the same understanding as the apostles had by reading what they wrote (Ephesians 3:4). We challenge you to open your bible and establish the truth.

"HAVE THIS MIND IN YOU ..." (Phil. 2)

Is there exhortation, consolation, fellowship and mercy in Christ? (1)

Should this compel us to be of the same mind? (2)

Do we avoid factions by being humble? (3)

How high a regard should Christians have for each other? (3)

Does "looking to your own things" relate to selfishness? (4)

Whose mind are we supposed to have within us? (5)

Should we always be self assertive and demand our rights? (6)

Who is greatest in the kingdom of God (7) (Matthew 20:27)

To what lengths did Jesus servitude take him? (8)

How was Jesus exalted? How will he be exalted? (9-11)

Is working out our salvation equivalent to obedience? (12)

When we are obedient, does God work in us? (13)

Will this result in greater harmony between Christians? (14)

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Faith or Works?

So often the question above is posed assuming that these two are mutually exclusive; that is, if you are saved by faith you cannot be saved by works, or if you are saved by works you cannot be saved by faith. This fallacy comes from the teaching of faith only. In fact, faith and works must coexist if either are to be acceptable to God.

This is made clear in James 2:14-26, where James states that faith can exist without works; however that faith is not acceptable to God because it is dead (26): "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead."

Similarly, works without faith cannot save us. This is what Paul was saying in Ephesians 2:8: "... for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, (it is) the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory." These works are those that are apart from faith, i.e., works of our own creation, no matter how good they might be in and of themselves. It is clear that Paul is not speaking against all works, for in the very next verse he states: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them." The whole purpose of our being faithful and partaking of God’s grace is that we might glorify him through good works.

So, the command to "work out your own salvation" should not seem strange. It is clear that it does not mean for us to invent our own system of salvation, for this would not demonstrate faith in God’s way. What it does mean is for us to determine what God wants then, because we trust Him to keep His promises, do it to the best of our ability.

This is something that cannot be done by a "church." Our individual obligations to the church must be kept, and the church is essential to God’s plan for Christians. However, your relationship to God does not depend on anyone but yourself. Paul did not say that the church should work out your salvation for you; he said for you to work out your own salvation. Unless we recognize our individual responsibilities in this regard, we will never have the proper understanding of faith and works.

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Ye often hear it said ...

"We are not justified by works ...".

but James said (James 2:24):

"Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith."

Notice that James is not saying that we are justified by works only, or works apart from faith. However, the context of James 2:14f shows that faith and works are inseparable. If you have the type of faith that God requires it will result in good works. Thus, if you are not producing the works of God, you do not have saving faith.

Jesus emphasized this to his disciples in John 15:5-10: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. ...If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." When we refuse to observe God’s commandments, then we cease to be abide in him.

This is not salvation by perfect obedience, which is impossible since we have all sinned (Rom. 3:23). It is salvation by the grace of God that is conditional on our faith in Him. This requires us to learn his will for us and then to do it to the best of our abilities. Those who believe in God must also "seek after Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and (so) shall ye be my disciples.

9 Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

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