Theme: WORKING OUT OUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING
Introduction
The achievement of success in the service of God, like as in every lawful human undertaking, calls for faith, zeal, devotion and commitment coupled with fear of God that makes one to keep His commandments as contained in the Holy Scriptures. We have much to learn from the Holy Bible as to why these qualities are required in all that we do in God’s service. It must be pointed out that God Almighty is to be worshipped not as we men like or in our own way but in a way that is acceptable to Him as expressed in the Holy Writ. In his epistle to the Hebrew Christians, St. Paul stated: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear”. – Hebrews 12:28.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work our your own salvation with fear and trembling” – Philippians 2:12.
Comment: The people of God are called out for the purpose of service and salvation to the glory of His Name. (Isaiah 43:21; 1 Timothy 2:3,4) It becomes imperative that our way of life should be so attuned to righteousness that our salvation will be certain or assured by God’s grace. The Almighty God through Jesus Christ has opened the way of salvation to His people the world over. Those who understand the purpose of God and want to be blessed and saved in His everlasting kingdom must be obedient to His commandments for them to have the grace of life. St. Paul observed this requirement among the Philippian Christians hence his commendation in the first place as in the citation under reference. That our salvation is in our hands is a fact that is clearly expressed in the Holy Scriptures. Speaking through Ezekiel the prophet, the Almighty God said that when He will hand down His final judgment and destruction on this evil world, “…Though Noah, Daniel and Job were in it, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall, but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” (Ezekiel 14:13-20) We are therefore admonished “Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it” – Hebrew 4:1.
