what does the following mean to you personally?

Question

"work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"

To me the words say that I'm the one answering for what I do, so to ask someone else's opinion on my life is not going to help me a bit...and that I know what is right and wrong for me, and should act accordingly, because if I betray what I know is right, then I have plenty to fear and tremble over.

yes "arewethereyet" I agree with you.

I do not recall saying anything about saving myself. I've got about as much a chance of doing that as I do of picking myself up by my shoestrings.

Answer 1

I prefer not to even use the word following. Belive that He is the Christ, the Savior, doesn't count u as a "follower". I prefer to use the term Friend. He says, "You are not my servant. Does a servant know everything about his master? No. I confide in you, so you are not my servant. You are my friend". That verse really tells me that He wants me to be His friend. Not His "follower". I belive that if you really want to be a Seeker, that you have to be His friend. Not His follower. He wants us to be friends. Not those in a democracy. We are in His kingdom, yes, but He loves us enough that He listens to us. Believe that sister. It is truth, because He said it. And He does not lie. I hope this helps your walk w/ God, and may He bless you beyond you ability to comprehend.

Answer 2

Well, as I read your question and explanation over and over and mull it over, I'd say you've got the gist of it pretty good. I might "soften" your answer a bit by saying that asking others' opinions might help you on various occasions because life is waaayyyyyy too complicated for any one of us to have all the answers for everything you're going to come to. Yes, I think ultimately you're the one responsible for what you do in life, and betraying what you know is right is like betraying God, who is in you. The "fear and trembling" is not necessarily a consequence of bad things done or bad choices made. It's a "figure of speech" or colloquialism of the time that encourages you to give serious consideration to what you may be undertaking in life and not just throw all caution-to-the-wind in making such decisions. And yes, the consequences may be "terrible", wherein you can or may "fear and tremble" over them, but I think the quote you are asking about is encouraging you to give serious consideration to what you're going to do, before you do it, so that you won't have to fear and tremble in punishment after-the-fact. God Bless you.

Answer 3

The more I learn about the bible the more I realize that I can never become perfect. Thus with fear and trembling I look to the lord for salvation. It will be up to him in the end if I tried hard enough to make it to the fathers kingdom or not.

Answer 4

Just a thought, but I kinda have my own take on "salvation". Its the finding of my true Self, which necessitates the losing of my false self, aka ego. Which thing, and the working through it, can certainly seem a fearful thing. The ego dies hard, but given karma, and the idea that this false self might need to go through more and "painful" incarnations, well, that's yet another reason for the ego to both be fearful and tremble. But its a reason to start working also. ;-) Anyway, just a thought. ~ Peace & Blessings ~

Answer 5

Your quote comes from from Philippians 2:12. However, that is not the whole thing.
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. "
Then in context Phillippians 2:13 says
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure"

When read in context, the scripture is not telling you that you are responsible for your own salvation. No one can save themselves. It read in context you will see that it is God working through you that brings about your salvation. And the working is bringing you from non-belief to belief.

Answer 6

That's an interesting perspective on the verse :)

I'm so practical though, I just take it at face value and try to work at being saved, that is, I try to put God's Word in every aspect of my life so that I might be transformed, ya know, saved.

The "fear and trembling" part give me a vision of holding something precious and priceless, and that vision fits I think. Don't you?

Answer 7

Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 16:26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?


Psalm 33:8
Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Psalm 86:11
Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Psalm 102:15
So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Answer 8

work out your own salvation ......You have basic knowledge of what is right/wrong but each day you read and study the word and discover the holy spirit leading you to purity of body/ mind/spirit....this journey will never end...thus the work out part

Now the fear and trembling ....well with a all powerful all knowing and all seeing god ...how else are youto work out your salvation....with laughter???? We should be in awe of the creator...and never forget who he/she is and where we fit into his plan.

Answer 9

The Bible says: "Do not put your trust in the arm of flesh." I can't remember where, but it is in there. We can communicate with God, and God can and does give each individual personal inspiration (if he/she has faith) about how to live one's life. James 1:5,6 is a good scripture about communicating with God for answers.

Answer 10

to an extent that is true, you have to obey your own consience.
but do not be close-minded in what your neighbors have to say. someone might have a different understanding of God than you do, but instead of ignoring each other, try to learn from each other. like steel sharpening steel, challenge each other to grow.