Considerations ~ The Gospel Fellowship Between God’s Work and Ours

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

LEGALISM: sees only, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” The work is all ours. Once God gives us our salvation, it is up to us to work it out.

CHEAP GRACE: sees only, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” The work is all God’s; nothing is required of us.

GOSPEL LIVING: sees that “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure,” and responds with the obedient faith of the “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” variety.

This is at least part of the reason that Paul would say, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).

Paul had given up his life of legalistic good works, and he had no room for the cheap grace that uses the gospel to justify sin. Instead, he rejoiced that these people shared a partnership in the gospel, the one thing that transforms us into the same image as Jesus Christ “from one degree of glory to another” (II Corinthians 3:18).

© 2015 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8 ~ in2freedom@gmail.com

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.)