Sunday Devo -May 28, 2023

"Therefore, my beloved, as you 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." Philippians 2:12 (KJV)
I grew up in a legalistic church, and this was a popular verse, with emphasis on the last statement, about working out our salvation. This may quickly be followed with reference to 1 Peter 4:18, “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear”, to complete the one-two combination. I spent many years with an overarching sense of dread, just knowing deep inside that I would never be ‘good enough’ to be saved. The church seemed to put an excessive premium on temperance and sanctification, requiring a high degree of both before someone dare ask to be baptized.
It was only later in college, when I met a group of Christians and began studying the Bible in an environment that was not legalistic, that my dread was replaced with relief, realizing that indeed, I could not be ‘good enough’!
The very next verse, Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure”, took on a special significance. Why was this crucial verse left out when the former was quoted? I took great comfort in realizing that salvation is a gift, which could not be earned, and that it was through faith, not a result of works (Ephesians 2: 8-10).
Not to dismiss sanctification and accompanying evidence such as the fruit of the Spirit, but realizing that these are a result of salvation, and not works to earn salvation. What a relief- thank God!     -Roy