832. PHP 2:12, PHP 2:13. SALVATION THE WORK OF GOD AND MAN

Php_2:12, Php_2:13. Salvation the Work of God and Man

"Work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."’97Php_2:12, Php_2:13.

Two rules are essential to a right understanding of the divine word. First: that we understand the persons to whom the passages are addressed. For it must make all the difference, whether they be believers or disbelievers’97converted or unconverted’97disciples of Christ, or backsliders from him.

Then it is essential, secondly, that we always take the words in their clear and obvious connection, for disjointed portions of the Bible may be made to teach the most idle, gross, and absurd fictions.

With these two points ever in view, we ought to be ready to throw aside every sectarian prepossession, and allow the word of eternal life to speak out fully and freely for itself. I am led to these remarks by the peculiar character of the text. I suppose two persons of opposite theological systems to come to its consideration. Ah, says the first, religion is a matter left to our own efforts’97it devolves totally on ourselves; for it is written’97"Work out your own salvation." No, says the person of the opposite religious creed, salvation is entirely of God; for it is written’97"God worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure."

Now both take a part of the truth’97both are to some extent right; yet both are to a greater extent wrong. Both see through the colored medium of their peculiar creed; and hence neither of them see the pure light of truth in all its colorless beauty.

Let us then honestly and prayerfully look at this momentous passage, and ascertain the mind of the Holy Spirit thereon. Observe,

I. The object set before us.

Our "own salvation."

II. The means for its attainment. "Work out."

III. The ability supplied.

"For it is God," &c.

Notice, then,

I. The object set before us.

Our "own salvation."

Observe carefully what this is. It is not our own atonement’97nor our own pardon’97nor our own adoption or regeneration; but, our own salvation. It is obviously the completion of that inward work which God has commenced. The text is addressed to Christians. Salvation consists of knowledge and holiness. The germs of these are in every believing heart. But they must be wrought out’97there must be growth’97advancement’97completion. The race is begun, but it is to be finished. The warfare is going on, but the victory is not won; therefore it must be carried on and out’97so running, till we obtain. Fighting the good fight, till we lay hold of eternal life. So that there must be the maintenance of the life of God in the soul. Perseverance in the good old way. Steadfastness in the faith, and holy progression, till we obtain the meetness requisite to the enjoyment of eternal life; for a holy meetness must necessarily precede its enjoyment.

Observe, this salvation is our own. Not that we are to be indifferent to the salvation of others, but this must be first, and regarded chiefly; and then, that of others. In all other matters we do think of ourselves first, and often we may add, chiefly. As in reference to our physical health. In reference to personal safety. To the enjoyment of pleasure. In the pursuit of wealth or honor. A starving man does not forget his own perishing condition, though hundreds of like perishing ones may surround him. A drowning man would seek first to escape the impending danger, before he could attempt to aid those in similar danger. So evidently ought it to be in reference to the soul’s salvation. We must surely act in like manner, or we evince a spirit of the sheerest folly and inconsistency.

It is perfidy to ourselves, if we are absorbed with the eternal interests of others, and neglect our own! Oh, that we felt this as we ought to do, and that the words were written on our hearts:’97"Our own salvation."

Then notice,

II. The means for its attainment.

"Work out your own salvation."

Observe, it is to be a matter,

1. Of labor’97of work.

Not self-righteous work, but spiritual labor. Hence all the passages of God’s word on Christian diligence. On striving’97contending. Observe, too, that this is much more than talking’97purposing’97or even professing. It is working: and it is described as a work of faith, and a labor of love. And it is not every sort of effort that may be thus described, but it must be specified working’97working by Christ’s authority, and Christ’s rule’97and by his grace. Working with all the renewed powers we possess. And this work includes’97self-government, self-denial, and self devoted ness to God and his glory.

In one word’97it involves the whole of what we understand by practical godliness. All that God demands in reference to his own, special and supreme claims on our veneration, love, and obedience. All the duties we owe to mankind’97whether of equity, goodness, or compassion and mercy. And all those personal duties which include the elevation of the mind’97the sanctity of the heart’97and the demeanor of the life. Forget not, that religious work must enter into all the concerns of life; and give a tone to all our engagements, whether secular or spiritual.

This working is to be the constant movement of the moral machinery within us; and which was started into action when we were quickened and renewed by the Spirit and grace of God. See how frequently it is urged, and powerfully enforced. "And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."’972Pe_1:5-8. And how the apostle prays for this: "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."’97Heb_13:20, Heb_13:21. And constant progression is enforced, when he says:’97"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God."’97Heb_6:1. And to excite to this, he reminds them: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed towards his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister; and we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end; that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."’97Heb_6:10-12.

Notice,

2. It is continuous labor.

For we must "Work out." Begin and continue in well-doing. Enter the vineyard, and remain in it till the day ends. Religion is to be our constant exercise’97our established habit’97our daily life. In this work the various virtues must be worked out and matured. So the graces must work, that they may be strong and vigorous. So our talents must be expended faithfully in the divine service. And all our means must be fully employed and improved. Observe,

3. It is labor connected with earnest and ardent solicitude.

"With fear and trembling." We must work in the spirit of holy fear. This is the beginning of wisdom. We are to have this before our eyes, and to be in it all the day long. We must cherish a fear of offending and grieving God. So needful is this, that it is often put for the whole of religion. That man is pronounced happy, who feareth always. This will be both an incentive to Christian diligence, and a preservative against apostasy. Then to this fear of God we are exhorted, also, to work out our salvation with "trembling." This trembling, or deep solicitude, is to have particular respect to ourselves. And what abundant occasion there will be for this,

(1.) When we reflect on our spiritual enemies and perils.

(2.) When we consider our weaknesses and infirmities.

(3.) When we think of the number of apostates around us.

(4.) When we think on what is at stake’97our soul’s present weal, and eternal salvation. But lest this fear and trembling should degenerate into despondency, there is added in the text, that which may well give us confidence and hope.

For observe, then, in reference to this labor,

III. The ability supplied.

"For it is God that worketh in you."

In contemplating God’s gracious provision, you will see that it is just what we need.

1. We require motives to influence us, and God supplies these.

He worketh in us "to will." The highest and most glorious motives are urged on us. God gives us great and bright prospects; including’97dignity, most exalted’97joy, most elevated’97and blessedness, most enduring! And by a regard to these, he gently and sweetly acts on the will, and it bends before his holy influences, as the willows before the winds that pass over them. How needful it is to have the will in entire subjection to God’s mind; and only determining, and choosing, and resolving’97as he graciously directs and disposes.

2. We require strength.

There can be nothing effected without strength. Well, he supplies this; for he worketh in us "to do," as well as "to will." He strengthens with all might the inward man. He gives moral power and ability for doing all he commands. His grace is ever suitable, and ever sufficient. He empowers for action’97for conflict’97and for suffering. He upholds, and sustains, and endows with spiritual vigor; so that as the day is, so will the strength be. And observe, that he worketh not only in us, but he does this freely, of his own good pleasure’97that is, God delights to work thus in us. He will, therefore, never fail to do this. We need not dread his forsaking us, or neglecting us; for he worketh in us both to will and to do of "his good pleasure."

Now, see then in the text,

(1.) The connection between Divine influence and human activity. He presents truth, and gives us power to see it; and we are called to behold’97and understand’97and believe it. The Cross is to us, as the brazen serpent was to the dying Israelites. God provided the remedy, and sent the message of his mercy to the perishing, to look and live; and just so, Christ has been offered a sin-atoning sacrifice; and the message of God’s love to us in Christ is sent, that we may "Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."

He gives us the spirit of prayer, but we are to pray. He gives us gracious power, and we are to work.

Observe, there are,

(2.) Some things God must do for us, and in us; or they cannot be done at all. We could not make our own atonement. We could not obtain justification by any act of our own. We could not change our depraved hearts. We could not renew, or sanctify our own souls. God must do these for us, and in us;’97and he does so by his Divine Son’97by his Holy Spirit’97and by the Word of his grace.

But observe also, there are,

(3.) Some things we must do, or the end will not be attained. The text refers to both of these. We must work out our own salvation. We must hear God’s voice. Submit to God’s righteousness. Believe in his Divine Son. Yield our hearts up to the Holy Spirit, and his gracious aid. We must serve God’97be vigilant,’97devout,’97faithful,’97constant, and persevering, even to death. We must stir up the good gift within us; and by reading, meditation, and faith, let the word of Christ dwell richly in us. We must use the grace imparted, that it may be increased; and by a cheerful, believing, and humble spirit, earnestly labor for the soul’s present well-being, and also for the final attainment of glory, immortality, and eternal life.

How very appropriate the verses of the devoted Wesley,’97

"Be it my only wisdom here

To serve the Lord with filial fear,

With loving gratitude:

Superior sense may I display,

By shunning every evil way,

And walking in the good.

Oh may I still from sin depart,

A wise and understanding heart,

Jesus, to me be giv’n:

And let me through thy Spirit know

To glorify my God below,

And find the way to heaven."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS