Working Out Your Salvation

Temple Baptist Church - 6-27-2012

Philippians 2:12-13

Introduction:

A. Before we make some applications, let us look at just what the Holy Spirit said in these verses. It is also very apparent what the Holy Spirit did not say also. It is important to observe both of these things in order to get the full message.

B. The message is not to the unsaved: they are not trying to be saved nor are they attempting to remain saved. Their salvation is settled in the words “my beloved.” They are “my” before they make a choice in sanctification. They are “beloved” before they make either a right or a wrong choice. Our salvation and God’s eternal love have nothing to do with our worthiness as they are unconditional towards the believer. This is certainly not license to sin. It is just a reality to be relished. I am His and He is mine. Whom the Lord LOVETH He chasteneth! He loves us even when we are not right with Him.

C. The “beloved” are not working something UP nor are they working something IN: they are working OUT. This tells us that everything that we need has already been placed within us when we were saved. Something was “born” in us! A new creature was formed in us. Just as conception gives birth to a human baby, the new birth brings forth a “babe” in Christ. Now begins the process of spiritual growth that brings about change and maturity in the believer. You do not get the Holy Ghost after you are saved. You receive Him when you get saved. You are not working for your salvation but working out the salvation that is already in your hearts. Something very special happened when you and I got saved. It is so much more than just being saved from hell and going to heaven when we die. There is no such thing as “falling from grace” (pertaining to salvation) that is found in your Bible. The only mention of “fallen from grace” is found in Galatians 5 as Paul is explaining salvation is by faith, not of works.

Galatians 5:2-4 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (If you think that you are justified by keeping the law, you have “fallen” away from the grace of God. In other words, you have “missed it completely” and remain lost for salvation is an act of God’s amazing grace as none of us deserve it. Ephesians 2:8-9)

D. We also find here the danger of lack of accountability. Verse 12. Very few people can “work for themselves” in the business world. They must “punch a clock.” Otherwise, they would sit around and do nothing. I have found that to be so with pastors and missionaries. A lack of accountability brings about a lack of work ethic. Paul said that they should do more when he was not there to help than when he was around. People need to “step up” and help God’s men for the work is great. Three things we need to know about working out our salvation:

Romans 11:36 (1) For of him, and (2) through him, and (3) to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

1. We belong to God. “For of him”

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Apprehended -to seize or to possess; to take. On several occasion, Paul referred to himself as the prisioner of Jesus Christ. That means to shackle or to chain: to be in bonds. I preached a few years on the subject “A Prison Without Bars.” We have been bought with a price: to go to the market and purchase. You are not your own. You and I belong to God!)

2. We are empowered by God. “Through him”

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (He has given us all things pertaining to life: it is God that supplies, feeds, protects, leads, etc. He has taken great care of this preacher over the past 36 years. He also has given us all things pertaining to godliness: grace, mercy, His Word, the sweet Holy Spirit, mediation, forgiveness, guidance, and His presence. God is faithful in our temptation. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13)

3. We labor for God. “To him”

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (“To will and to do OF his good pleasure.” God’s children have a “will” to do that which is good and right. Paul said, “To will is present with me!” People who have no desire or will to live for God do not know God! Too often, we can say with the great Apostle Paul, “How to perform that which is good I find not,” but our will is to glorify God.)

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.