Therefore, my beloved, as you 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 works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13)

Our Evangelical friends, who believe salvation is by faith alone, "Whistle past the graveyard" on this passage by arguing that working out your own salvation is like working a garden. "You can't work a garden you don't have," they cleverly contend, "and you can't work out your salvation unless you already have it." To answer a fool according to his folly, if you don't work that garden you will lose it, and if you don't work out your salvation you'll lose it.

But their argument is false anyway. Thayer's lexicon defines the Greek word translated by the phrase "work out" as "to perform, accomplish, achieve 2) to work out, i.e. to do that from which something results 2a) of things; bring about, result in" (e-Sword). Thus, salvation is the result of the work we do, and, as the apostle explains in verse 12, this is our obedience.

Other New Testament uses of the Greek word "katergazomai," the term translated "work out" in Philippians 1:12, confirms this. According to the same apostle, "the law brings about (",i>katergazomai") wrath" (Romans 4:15). Wrath is the result of the law, just as salvation is the result of works of obedience. Again, "tribulation produces ("katergazomai") perseverance" (Romans 5:3). Affliction produces ("katergazomai") glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). "The sorrow of the world produces ("katergazomai") death" (2 Corinthians 7:10). The contribution by Gentile congregations to the needy brethren in Jerusalem caused ("katergazomai") thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:11).

So the apostle commands us to do what will bring about our salvation, obey the Lord.

Does this mean we earn our salvation? Our Protestant friends contend if we do anything at all to be saved, we earn salvation. They wouldn't so foolishly argue in any other area of life. If a car dealer advertised, "He who believes and is baptized will receive a new Ford Mustang," would people who claim their prize (And I'd be at the head of the line) earn their new car? By the way, I dare say our Protestant friends would understand the conditions, be baptized immediately, and demand their Mustang post haste (cf. Mark 16:16).

But what about Romans 4:4, "Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt"? Or Romans 11:6, "And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work"? The Bible mentions many kinds of works: good and evil (Titus 2:14; 2 Timothy 4:18), of God and of darkness (John 6:28-29; Romans 13:12), of Christ and of iniquity (Philippians 2:30; Matthew 7:23), of the Lord and of the flesh (1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 5:19), befitting repentance and wicked (Acts 26:20; Colossians 1:21), righteous and hypocritical (Acts 10:35; Matthew 23:3,5), perfect and dead (James 1:4; Hebrews 9:14), of faith and of the law (also called boastful and of righteousness, i.e., earned righteousness) (1 Thessalonians 1:3; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:9; Titus 3:5). Some will cause us to be lost (Galatians 5:19-21), others will not save (Galatians 2:16), but some are essential to justification (John 6:28-29; Galatians 5:6).

The works that would lead one to boast if he could be saved by them are the works of the law (Romans 3:27-28). Since the law had no sacrifice that would take away sin (Hebrews 10:1-4), to be justified by it, we would have to keep it sinlessly. Now that would be earning justification. But, friend, you and I won't get to heaven that way, since "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Furthermore, if the works of Philippians 2:12 are not essential to salvation, why did the inspired apostle tell us to work "with fear and trembling"? Why fear and tremble if God has done it all for us, and there's nothing we can do to lose our salvation?

Let the Hebrew writer inform us why. "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it" (Hebrews 4:1).

Does this mean we may just appear to fall short by disobedience but will not actually do so? Again, why fear and tremble? But, the writer further explains, "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience" (verse 11).

But, we are smugly informed, it's God working through us (Philippians 2:13). The inward call of the Holy Spirit gives us both the desire and the ability to obey.

Yes, it is God working through us, and yes, God gives us both the desire and ability to obey. But where's the proof this is mysterious and supernatural, and doesn't require the exercise of our own will? The Lord God punished sinful Israel and Judah for their idolatry (Isaiah 10:11), but He didn't do it directly and supernaturally but by the use of the nation of Assyria, the rod of His anger and the staff of His indignation (Isaiah 10:5). Moses built the tabernacle (Hebrews 8:4-5), not by his own hands, but by men whom the Lord selected (Exodus 31:1-11). The all wise Lord God does not have to act directly and supernaturally to accomplish His will. The Word of God, given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is able to make us complete as children of God, and the knowledge of His will provided therein furnish us the ability to obey Him, equipping us with "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:2-4).

Dear sinner, believe and obey the gospel so that you may be saved. Brother, sister, work for the Lord with all your might in fear of falling short, for the loving Father has provided through His living and powerful Word all we need both to desire and to do all His good pleasure.