Working out our salvation

In this life, there are certain things that are universal and certain.

Some have said that the only things that are certain are death and taxes.

I happen to believe I can add a few more things to that list.

I believe it is universal that people desire to be heard, loved and valued. Further, I believe that people around the world desire to know that their life is not only significant but also making a difference in the world (or at least making a difference in the small corner of the world we spend our lives in). I understand that we may get into routines and habits where we don’t necessarily question why we do certain things or what impact we may be having on others but at some point, I would put forth that it is a universal practice to ask “why?” and “what does it matter?” Hopefully, as we ask these questions we will begin our quest not only for significance (and the outcome of life) but also purpose (and why/how we came to be here in the first place).

The truth is that Yahweh, God Almighty, the Creator, in love created us and He invites us to accept His purposes and plans for us. In the Bible, He tells us through Paul’s words that we need to “work out (our) salvation” (Philippians 2:12). I take this to mean (at least on some level) that we are to ask the deep questions of why we are doing certain things and whether what we are doing really matters (for now and especially for eternity). I believe that working out our salvation means accepting God’s stated purposes for our existence (love) and God’s stated plans for our future (abiding in love). I would put forth to you that life is too short and eternity is too long to spend much time worrying about what “he/she said” or what “he/she did” and instead we need to focus on questions such as

• “God, am I living in Your love?”
• “God, am I living out Your love?”
• “God, am I living in a way pleasing to you?”
• “God, what are you teaching me through this?”
• “God, what should I say/do in order to communicate your love to this person?”

Please, recognize that it’s hard enough and time-consuming enough to work out our own salvation with the Lord, we really don’t have the time or energy (or even a responsibility) to figure out whether the people around us are doing it the way we would or the way we think they should.

By the way, the last part of the phrase in the Bible is to “work out (our) salvation with fear and trembling”. I truly believe that means that we come humbly to the Lord and to any situation asking the Lord to help us and allowing Him to live through us. If we are in awe and wonder and amazement and fear and consecrated surrender before God, I know He will help us to live holy lives unto the Lord.

May God help you to know this day what He is teaching you and please be reassured that as you fully trust and obey Him in all things your life will have great meaning and tremendous impact and the Lord will use your faith and obedience to fulfill His plans for you!