"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling", How many of you Believe this Scripture?

Question

Philippians 2:12 tells us to do this.

What does it mean, if we are only saved by grace, then we shouldn't have to worry about anything at all but this scripture says otherwise.

Why do we have to Fear and Tremble as we work out our salvation?

So Far, i got some pretty good answers, Thanks

Answer 1

read the next verse, too often 2:12 is quoted but not 2:13 along with it, which tells us that it is God who is at work in the true child of God, doing HIS good pleasure:

"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.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:12,13.

Answer 2

All Scripture is true so that's an easy question. We are not saved by works, but we are to live out the salvation God has given us by living in a growing relationship with God and in harmony with His people. Fear and trembling: A deep reverence that comes from knowing that God is at work in us.

Answer 3

There is such a thing as Godly fear its a reverence and respect for God and His commandments(fear and trembling)to have Godly fear and to take it seriously, grace- is what God bestows on us out of loving kindness its not what we did so great to have a relationship with God but what He did for us, we have to work out our on salvation with God helping us to learn how to walk humbly and submitting our lives in the ways that Jesus walked here on this earth as an example of how we are to live our lives and how we are to be towards others. I do believe this scripture but as christians we have to be very careful of our interpretations of scripture that's why he sent the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth and understanding. God Bless

Answer 4

Philippians 2:12 "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."

Paul is urging the Philippians (applicable to us) to obey the Word of God, not just when he is there holding a stick over them, but all the time. He is asking them to put discipline in their lives. The rest of this verse is misinterpreted by many today. No one can save themselves by or through any of their works. There is only one Savior, and that is Christ. The working out your salvation comes when you study God's Word, with much prayer for the leading of the Holy Spirit. Your deeper study into the Scriptures will awaken you to the reality of sin and where that end leads; to the very destruction of your soul. True fear within your mind will always bring trembling of your soul, and cause you to repent to our heavenly Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

Our salvation can be seen as an electronic airline ticket. It has been bought and paid for. There is no way we could afford or deserve to go on the flight. We can't loose the ticket but we can choose not to go or give it away. If we do that we may regret it. I would go to great trouble to make sure I didn't miss the flight. "fear and trembling" would be a great way to describe my diligence for going on that trip.

Answer 6

I didn't used to even know this scripture. I was Evangelical Presbyterian, then Reformed Presbyterian. Now, I have been a catechumen in the Eastern Orthodox Church since October, 2006. I will be baptized on Jan. 6, 2008, God willing. This Church has shown me the true value of this Scripture. I am looking forward to Lent already. Weeping in your heart over your sins is a wonderful blessing.

Answer 7

Protestants believe that they are saved by making one single act of faith at one single point in time in their lives (usually reciting the sinner's prayer). Nowhere does Scripture say such a thing. As Catholics, however, we believe that salvation is a process which begins with our Baptism and continues throughout our lifetimes, just as the Bible teaches us.

There are so many places in Scripture, which talk about how one is "saved", but not one of them says we are saved by one act of faith at just one point in time. 1 Peter 3:20 says we are saved by baptism. In Hebrews 12:14 it says that we will not see the Lord unless we are holy, and that we have to strive for this holiness. In Matthew 6:14-15, it says we must forgive others or we will not be forgiven. Can you attain salvation if God hasn't forgiven you? No! So, our forgiving others is necessary for our salvation.

John 6:54 says we will have eternal life by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Matthew 19, verses 16 and 17, Jesus is asked directly what one must do to have eternal life. Did He say, accept me into your heart once and that's it? No! Jesus said to keep the commandments and you will have life.

As Catholics we believe that we were saved, as Paul says in Rom 8:24; that we are being saved, as Paul says in 1 Cor 1:18; and that we will be saved, as Paul says in Rom 5:9-10, provided we persevere and keep our eyes on the prize. Salvation is a process, just as Catholics believe, and just as the Bible clearly teaches.

As long as the scripture is properly interpreted by the Catholic Church, there shouldn't be any problem deciphering what to believe. Afterall, the Bible was given to us by the Catholic Church and the New Testament was written by Catholics.

God bless.

Answer 8

There is many scriptures I can use, but You may look them up. There is a way that seemeth right unto men but the way thereof is the way of death. & also many will say lord lord have we not done this & that in your name & he will say Depart from me, I never knew you, The bible also says to study thyselve to see if thou be in the TRUTH. Therefore each person has to work out their own salvation, But I don't have to sit here & tremble in my shoes or chair wondering if God loves me.

Answer 9

I think it's just simply saying that we shouldn't be lazy and think because we once accepted Jesus as our Savior that we have a "free ticket to heaven" in our pocket. We should be afraid to sin, to wander outside of the sheep-fold and should labor in the areas that Paul did such as preaching, loving one another and abiding in Him as He commanded us. Jesus paid our debt but we have our part that we must do in our salvation, too. The most obvious is that we cannot attain the promise of heaven without maintaining a good walk with our Lord. That takes effort. Remember the parable of the 12 virgins. They were all saved in the beginning but they didn't all maintain a good walk with Him (those are the ones that didn't bring enough oil to keep their lamps lit).

Answer 10

Paul tells the new Christians to carry on their lives as a good Christians .Now they are saved ,he wants them to be more carefull in obeying God and continue their race (verse 14-18)even in his absence.They must have a personal commitment with God.Paul can only show the way. The salvation:John 6:34-40. You can get a new believers bible (Tindale house publisher).It's easy to understand.You'll find it in any christian book store.