Work out you salvation?

**Smitty** · 03-31-2018, 03:27 PM

Paul penned our title in Philippians 2:12-13. He also wrote much about God's work accomplishing our redemption, which he includes, "by grace alone, by faith alone," yet is there a certain responsibility on our part or our involvement in that work? My point is, anything which even hints at "works righteousness" or "salvation by works" is suspect to a "earning your salvation" mindset. And that is the concern which often emerges when believers read verses as in our title verse. If Paul's teaching on God's redemptive work in Christ reveals that salvation is not based on our accumulated merits and good deeds, then what is the purpose of ""Work out your salvation" (Phil 2:12-13)?

**fuego** · 03-31-2018, 08:22 PM

Well 'work' there isn't used in the sense of works FOR salvation. Or even literal works. It's used the same as you and me talking about working out our problems. It has nothing to do with literal 'works' or 'working', at least trying to obtain salvation. You could say 'work out' your salvation like we work out our problems.

Here's the Amplified:

...work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, [a]with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).

**Smitty** · 04-01-2018, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by fuego

It has nothing to do with literal 'works' or 'working', at least trying to obtain salvation.

Would it be fair to say salvation is then God's business from beginning to end? It is initiated, maintained, and completed by Him which means that the action comes from outside ourselves and that it is something which is both an accomplished act and reality which continues in its effectiveness through the present and into the future.

"No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; (Jn 6:44).

"I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6).

**GCM** · 04-03-2018, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Smitty

Would it be fair to say salvation is then God's business from beginning to end? It is initiated, maintained, and completed by Him which means that the action comes from outside ourselves and that it is something which is both an accomplished act and reality which continues in its effectiveness through the present and into the future.

"No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; (Jn 6:44).

"I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6).

Smitty,

Are you a Calvinist, or have Calvinistic leanings? Because if so, you probably already know what you want to believe, then there is no point to the discussion.

But if you really want to know, the truth is that God initiates salvation, but man has to respond. God draws man, but it is man who has to do the coming. God's part was to provide the sacrifice for sins and invite all men to come and receive forgiveness. So the provision is a free gift and is not the work of man. No one had to ascend to heaven, to bring Christ down, and no man had to go to hell, to raise Christ from the dead. God did all that as a gift of grace.

But man has to do something. Man has to believe in his heart, and confess Jesus with his mouth to be saved.

**krystian** · 04-03-2018, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by GCM

But if you really want to know, the truth is that God initiates salvation, but man has to respond. God draws man, but it is man who has to do the coming. God's part was to provide the sacrifice for sins and invite all men to come and receive forgiveness. So the provision is a free gift and is not the work of man. No one had to ascend to heaven, to bring Christ down, and no man had to go to hell, to raise Christ from the dead. God did all that as a gift of grace.

But man has to do something. Man has to believe in his heart, and confess Jesus with his mouth to be saved.

Good post...welcome to the forum GCM.

**Smitty** · 04-03-2018, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by GCM

Smitty,

Are you a Calvinist, or have Calvinistic leanings? Because if so, you probably already know what you want to believe, then there is no point to the discussion.

But if you really want to know, the truth is that God initiates salvation, but man has to respond. God draws man, but it is man who has to do the coming. God's part was to provide the sacrifice for sins and invite all men to come and receive forgiveness. So the provision is a free gift and is not the work of man. No one had to ascend to heaven, to bring Christ down, and no man had to go to hell, to raise Christ from the dead. God did all that as a gift of grace.

But man has to do something. Man has to believe in his heart, and confess Jesus with his mouth to be saved.

No, I am not a Calvinist. When a person is given an opportunity to either accept or reject a gospel invitation, it always requires a decision of their will. A rejection will result in eternal consequences, as shown John 3:18, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the Son of God." On the flip side of that though, if the person responds to the Masters knock upon his heart (Rev 3:20) the Lord said the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out (John 6:37).

It's a fact that millions of people daily are in the "valley of decision" (Joel 3:14). That is why the apostle Paul worked so hard at preaching the gospel, even if it meant enduring great suffering.

But lets not forget John's vision in Revelation in regards to individual salvation. This passage spoken of refers to those whose name are not written in the book of life, was determined "from the foundation of the world" (Rev 17:8). From an eternal perspective---in the mind of God, He knows, and He alone, who will be saved and enter into the New Jerusalem.

**Nikos** · 04-05-2018, 03:07 PM

Is obedience to Christ "works?" Obedience is something you do. Works is something you do.

**Ezekiel 33** · 04-05-2018, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Nikos

Is obedience to Christ "works?" Obedience is something you do. Works is something you do.

And that is because "FAITH" is an action word.

**fuego** · 04-05-2018, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Nikos

Is obedience to Christ "works?" Obedience is something you do. Works is something you do.

Yes, it's works. But nothing wrong with works. We are called to good works. We're not talking about salvation by works though. Two different things. 'Works' is not a dirty word. Too many can't differentiate between works for salvation (which is impossible or than the 'work' of believing on Him) and good works apart from salvation. Most Christians hear the word 'works' and are so conditioned to thinking salvation by works they just throw all works out the window.

**fuego** · 04-05-2018, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by Ezekiel 33

And that is because "FAITH" is an action word.

Yep. There is no faith without works. As James said, you say you have faith, I will show you my works to prove I have faith. But again, as I posted to Nikos, we're not talking about salvation by works. Just obedience toward God, which yes, involves works.

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