Not calculation but out-working
| Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians2:12-13) |
So, at first glance, our verse for today may imply "continue to calculate/puzzle over/solve your salvation with fear and trembling..."
The Greek word Paul uses for "work out" is "katergazesthe" (bless you!) and it implies production from something that is already there. A steam train has water and coal inside and this can produce motion. A car has petrol in the tank and, using that fuel, the car can move. A battery has chemicals inside that can produce current and this provides light, sound or whatever other electronic service we require.
The core truth of this passage is the end part: (my translation)
"It is GOD (the Holy Spirit) who works inside you so that you have the power to make decisions and take action in line with His plans and purposes."
Flowing out of that are three important truths:
- Our lives must be inside-out. If there is no petrol in the tank or charge in the battery then there can't be an outcome. We should not be focused on the outward activities if we are empty on the inside.
- We should not waste the opportunity. In matric physics we were taught that the "charge" between the positive and negative poles of a battery was called the "potential difference". I really like that! We need to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to "out-work" in our lives. This is the potential we have to make a difference! It's no good being fully charged or tank-full if we never switch on the circuit or the engine. It's no good having a full head of steam if we're not going to leave the station. We need to allow the Spirit to work in us!
- We do this in fear and trembling. Not because our salvation has not been obtained BUT because it already has through the incredible sacrifice of Jesus on the cross! AND we are loved so much that, in spite of our failure and brokenness, God puts His Spirit in us. He helps us to will and act to His purpose. We tremble with awe and wonder at the magnitude of God's care: He not only saves us, but He gives us His Spirit to help us live out that salvation.
What a truth! What a comfort!
