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. ( Phil 2:12 )
Today, we are going to delve deeply into the Word of God. Our focus will be on Salvation and its significance in our lives. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches us that Salvation is a gift from God, not something earned through works. So, why strive for Salvation if it is freely given by God?
First, let’s define Salvation. The term “Salvation” comes from the Greek word “Soteria,” which encompasses both spiritual and physical deliverance. When Jesus died on the cross, He secured physical healing for us, but we must actively work it out. One way to do this is by praying for the sick (James 5:15). Another way is by receiving His Word (Psalm 107:20).
Salvation also means protection from harm. There are exceptions, like martyrdom. Many of our beloved brothers and sisters are now imprisoned or killed for their faith in Christ. The Apostle Paul was prepared to be executed for his faith (Psalm 107:20, 2 Timothy 4:5-7). Please pray for our persecuted brethren overseas.
Salvation includes financial deliverance. Poverty and lack are part of the curse. (Luke 19:8-9, Deuteronomy 28:17). Salvation is like planting a seed. Though it is free, it is not cheap. We must regard our gift as special and sacred. (Matthew 13). When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, He plants the seed of Salvation in your heart. Your responsibility is to water that seed and help it grow.
God knows that nurturing this seed is challenging, so He sends the Holy Spirit to help you. As you grow spiritually, you will experience different stages of growth. Consider a seed in the natural world. When you buy seeds from a store, the package in the front shows the end result. For example, a cucumber seed packet displays a fully grown cucumber. Upon opening the package, you only see seeds. You do not see the final product.
To harvest the cucumber, you must sow the seeds into good soil and nurture them. After some time, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor. God’s Word says, Taste and see that the Lord is good. His seed of Salvation is good and brings great benefits and rewards.
Scripture teaches us that we are in the army of the Lord. In an army, there are different ranks, and as you grow, there are various benefits and responsibilities. Colossians 2:5 says that the Lord beholds our order, which translates to military rank in Greek.
In our next lesson, we will expand on this, God willing. In conclusion, we don’t work to be saved; we work out our Salvation because we are saved! Remember, by their fruits, they shall be known. Guard your Salvation and work it out so that the Lord will be pleased by our labors. Shalom.
Prayer– Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. Forgive me when I have taken you and this precious gift for granted. Help me to work out my Salvation in all it’s aspects. Help me to be a vessel unto honor. Change me, Lord, so I can bring others to enjoy your precious gift. In Jesus name–Amen!
The Christian Corner Ministries 