INTRODUCTION: Salvation from a theological and doctrinal perspective is both simple and profound; it’s also very deep and intricately complex. It’s a general term that refers to all of the redemptive processes that GOD uses in the operation of justifying, sanctifying and glorifying the repentant sinner turned to righteous saint. Involved in this process is also atonement, propitiation, substitution, calling and election, imputation, conversion, regeneration and adoption. In Systematic Theology, this study of salvation and all of it's component parts is called Soteriology.
It's quite easy to get these mixed up and misapplied, especially for those who haven’t studied them from the Scriptures. This can quite often lead to a works-based salvation or at the other end of the scale, a Gospel that needs no repentance and supposedly saves everyone (Universalism).
For an examination of many of these biblical words, check out the following three part TTUF series as taught by pastor Sonny Islas (SHINE BRIGHT Church, Tucson, AZ) and myself: DEFINITION Of BIBLICAL WORDS: PART One, PART Two, PART Three!
In the following two verses we have just such an example of how misunderstanding of what Scripture teach us can happen. We must be careful to note what it says as well as what it does not say. But before we get into vss. 12-13, we need to set things up. Please be patient, we have a lot to set up!
It was GOD who initiated this process of salvation, Who sought us out when we had gone astray (ROM 3:11; ISA 53:6) and through the Holy Spirit that convicts us of sin (JOHN 16:8; [see this process in action in ACTS 2:22-37]) and testifies of, and leads us to Christ our Savior (JOHN 14:26 15:26; 16:13) and our need for what only He can provide (MATT 1:21; ACTS 4:12; 1 TIM 2:5-6). We then willingly surrender to the LORD of our own volition (MATT 10:32-33; 16:25; ROM 10:8-11; REV 22:17).
Once we fall under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and repent – that is, we agree with that conviction, that we are sinners in need of salvation and receive Christ according to His calling and election, turning away from a life of sin that would condemn us, and turning to the LORD Jesus Christ (MARK 1:15; JOHN 1:12-13; ROM 1:7; 1 THESS 1:4)) – and are born anew as a result of GOD’s work (EZEK 36:26; JOHN 3:3,5; 1 PET 1:23) we are justified. We recognize that Christ is the only acceptable sacrifice (propitiation) that can stand in our place (substitution) and by His shed blood and death pay for our sins (atonement or “reconciliation” ROM 5:8-11).
We awe in wonder at the miraculous conversion and regeneration that’s been done for and in us (TITUS 3:5). We can then rightly claim the righteousness of Christ as our own (ROM 3:21-22), for He had imputed that to us, just as GOD has imputed to His Son our sins (2 COR 5:21)! We also rightly claim to be children of GOD (JOHN 1:12) and the legal adoption by GOD that made us heirs with Christ (ROM 8:15).
All of this falls into the category of justification in Christ, where the charges of sin laid against us are summarily dismissed in GOD’s Court of Law, and instead, we become recipients of the Grace of GOD (ROM 5:17).
To understand how these two: Law and Grace compliment each other in their distinct functions, see the following two part TTUF series LAW vs. GRACE (the link to Pt. 2 is included at the conclusion of Pt. 1).
You’ve no doubt heard this before, but to accentuate the previous statements, I’ll go through this again:
I have been saved – from the penalty of sin: I am not going to be punished for my sins and be eternally separated from GOD (ROM 8:1-2, 38-39) but come to know Him as Abba (ROM 8:14-15), Jesus as LORD and Savior (ROM 10:9-10; 2 TIM 1:10), the Holy Spirit as my Counselor and Helper (JOHN 14:16,26; 15:26). My justification in Christ was already completed upon placing my faith in Him. There is nothing that can be added to this perfect work, and I am justified in Christ forever and will not know any greater completion of this work in eternity. This is justification.Alright then – now, finally, we can get into our text!
I am being saved – from the power of sin: Once saved by the grace of GOD, and indwelt by the Spirit under justification, I now grow in Christ and in the knowledge and grace I can procure through Him (2 PET 3:18). This is a lifelong process whereby the saint grows in holiness and grace, submitting more and more to the mind of Christ (ROM 12:1-2; EPH 4:15). This is sanctification, by becoming more like Him in thought, word, motive, actions, reactions and responses; we grow in His grace, truth, love, compassion, selflessness – all of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is grown and flourishes as we are sanctified. We are called to be an active participant in yielding to GOD, allowing the life of Christ to gently dominate us as our “old man” diminishes, and thus the power of sin over us likewise diminishes as the work of the Cross continues in mortification, and the Spirit brings resurrection life in vivification (EPH 4:22-24; COL 3:9-10; GAL 2:20).
I will be saved – from the presence of sin: There is coming a day when this entire ministry of salvation through the agency of GOD’s work will know completion. Yet sanctification where we grow in Christlikeness continues until we are face to Face with our Savior (1 JOHN 3:2), and then we shall be “saved to the uttermost” (HEB 7:25). At that point, the presence of sin nature will be totally obliterated – that which incrementally is done away with through sanctification but is never entirely abrogated as we strive against sin (GAL 5:17). We will be transformed in body, a glorified body like that of our LORD’s (ROM 8:23; PHIL 3:21) – this is glorification.
Previously in PHIL 2:1-11 we saw how apostle Paul encouraged the saints to be lowly in mind, esteeming others more than ourselves, to serve one another.
He then speaks on how Christ utterly, completely humbled Himself – not only in assuming humanity, laying aside His glory, dwelling among sinners in a sinful world, enduring the mocking, jeering, and rejection by religious prideful hypocrites (and at the end, by most of His own people, the Jews; JOHN 1:11) but also in the supreme act of utter humiliation by dying for our sins on the Cross.
Never was a more selfless, more loving act of service done on our behalf.
It’s the same high calling GOD has for us – though none will ever attain to His matchless achievement, still by the power of GOD and the Spirit of grace (NOT by our own will power and effort; JOHN 15:5), we are to strive for such – because just as GOD the Father exalted His Son for His supreme example of humility and humble obedience, so also will He exalt those of us who follow Christ’s example!
And so we arrive at another “therefore” in Scripture:
PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13
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; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
For the remainder of this article, we will focus on just these two verses from PHIL Ch. 2.
Obedience has almost become a “dirty word” in the church today. The word “legalistic” is often attached to it. In all reality obedience is simply the outward manifestation of faith, and of compliance to the will and authority of another (JAMES 2:14-22). If we genuinely express faith in GOD and His Word, then whatever commands are there, we obey; whatever promises are there, we claim; whatever comforts, we embrace and counsels, we receive.
We first and foremost obey the Gospel (see the negative example of this in 2 THESS 1:8; 1 PET 4:17), for we can do nothing in ourselves to obey the Word of GOD as Christ’s disciples until we are first saved and indwelt by the Spirit of GOD.
How does GOD view obedience compared to mere religious externalism that’s just meant for show – or sacrifices made without the greater and more essential action of obedience – motivated by love (1 COR 13:1-8)?
1 SAMUEL 15:22Note that word “heed” – I used to think it meant “to hear” and it does, but it means even more than that. It means to listen with the intent to obey.
Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
A student in school will hear a lecture, take notes, etc. But a soldier, standing at attention before a superior officer who is issuing orders, will heed him. He isn’t just listening, he intends on taking action according to those orders.
It’s through obedience to the Word of GOD, as given by apostle Paul here, that the saints at Philippi are admonished to “work out your own salvation”.
That verse has tripped up many a saint who encourage themselves in a “works trip” that is part and parcel of a works-based salvation. THIS is why understanding the various aspects of salvation is so very crucial for proper biblical exposition!
Those who claim that a Christian must do “such and such” (fill in the blank) in order to get and to keep their salvation will include those works in the aspect of salvation known as justification. Nothing, and by that I mean NOTHING can be added to our justification! To even make the attempt is not only wrong, but also downright blasphemous! Why?
Because by doing so, one is saying (whether they realize it or not) that the sacrificial, atoning death of Christ is insufficient for salvation – that my works are also required in order to complete that which is lacking in the Cross of Christ and His work of redemption done there!
Do you see how terribly wrong that is?!
Any such “good works” we do are not required in justification, they are the result of justification as seen in the process of sanctification. Note in the following verses the order of things: salvation by grace comes first, good works comes second.
EPHESIANS 2:8-10Faith is the means by which we take hold of Gospel Truth, not just in believing it, but in obeying it. Faith doesn’t save us however – its by grace we are saved (GOD’s unmerited favor; none of us could ever earn it, so it must be given as a gift – and a gift isn’t a gift if it’s something earned). Salvation or “eternal life” through faith, accessing the grace of GOD is the Gift of gifts through Jesus Christ (ROM 6:23).
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
This salvation, specifically justification, is apart from works – if we could work for salvation and earn it, we could brag on ourselves on how good we are – but none are good (ROM 3:12; 4:1-5). We are justified freely, that is, at no cost to ourselves; Christ paid it all by His blood (ROM 3:23-24).
That being the case, how can apostle Paul here say that we are to “…work out YOUR OWN salvation…”?
Because in this instance, he is addressing sanctification, not justification. By the power of GOD we have been born again as His children (JOHN 1:13). And by that power that has brought us into the family of GOD and justified us, it’s by that same power we can grow in Christlikeness, bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and produce those “good works” we were “created in Christ Jesus for”! That fruit, those good works don’t provide justification, they prove justification and present the reality of Christ’s sanctifying influence in us! What GOD has worked in us (justification) we are to work out (sanctification).
“13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
His sanctifying influence makes us willing as well as able to do these things for His good pleasure. It’s when we produce good fruit… “much fruit” that GOD the Father is glorified (JOHN 15:8)!
Sanctification is all about having our minds transformed – just as our hearts were transformed (EZEK 36:26; 2 COR 5:17), indwelt (2 COR 3:3; JOHN 14:17; 20:22) and sealed (EPH 4:30) – GOD then proceeds to work on our minds.
Scripture states that the church, we saints, are “the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 COR 3:16; 6:19).
In the Old Testament we see what the Tabernacle and later, the Temple looked like: there were three separate compartments: the outer court, then the Temple Nous (the building at the center of the outer court) which had the Holy Place (here we see the seven branched lampstand, the table of shewbread, and the altar of incense). There was the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies (here the ark of the covenant with its mercy seat was located, separated from the Holy Place by the veil).
Scripture states that we human beings have three parts to us as well: body, soul and spirit (1 THESS 5:23) – and this correlates with the Old Testament Tabernacle/Temple. For the outer court, we have our body (the Greek is soma; the outer most part of ourselves); for the Holy Place, we have our mind – or soul (or psuche in the Greek); for the Holy of Holies, we have our hearts (cardia) and spirit (pneuma).
GOD’s work in providing new hearts for the child of GOD is done; this is the permanent dwelling place of the Spirit of GOD, just as the Spirit of GOD manifested in the Holy of Holies.
Now He is at work in our “Holy Place” – that is, our minds. And just as the priests ministered in the Holy Place to conduct GOD’s will, which often was seen in the outer court (what with all the ritual sacrifices at the brazen alter, and the washing laver), so too the Spirit of GOD works on transforming our minds to the effect of godly actions and “good works” manifesting in our “outer court” – our bodies:
ROMANS 12:1Our “understanding” and “minds” are enlightened and renewed; see: EPH 1:18; 4:23; COL 3:10. It’s clearly stated here that the saints of Thessalonica are to be sanctified according to GOD’s will: 1 THESS 4:3-5; and by GOD’s grace refrain from sinful lusts and grow in holiness: 1 PET 1:13-16; we who follow GOD’s will have this assurance in this world that’s passing away, that we shall abide forever: 1 JOHN 2:15-17.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
See ROM 6:13,16,19; 1 COR 6:13,20; HEB 10:19-20
ROMANS 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
There is a lot of talk by those who insist that works are a vital part of our justification, and if we cease to produce those works, if we are not obedient to GOD in every way, we run the risk of losing our salvation. In all actuality, our works (other than the work of faith in Christ; JOHN 6:28-29) are not part of our justification (inward work of Christ, completed), but rather, part of our sanctification (outward working of the Spirit of GOD as we yield to Him, in process).
I don’t believe we lose our salvation based on conditions expressed by those who believe it can be lost – I believe that just as with the Abrahamic Covenant, the Davidic Covenant and the Land Covenant, that the New Covenant (Testament) has only one condition just like these otherwise unconditional covenants: that GOD is believed by faith (ROM 4:3). None of those cited lost their justification, even though they made some serious blunders (David’s episode of adultery [possibly rape?] of Bathsheba and murder by proxy of Uriah her husband for example! 2 SAM 11).
In each of those three covenants, GOD makes promises based on His flawless faithfulness, NOT on the recipients of these covenants. I believe it’s the same with the New Covenant (JER 31:31-34).
Of course we have the Mosaic Covenant, which is very conditional, but that Covenant is very much about the Law under the Old Covenant with all of its sacrifices and offerings, and Levitical priesthood. Christ fulfilled the Law for us (MATT 5:17) and the Old Covenant has been replaced by the New (HEB 8:12-13).
I tend to not ask the question, “Can I lose my salvation?” and rather ask a more pertinent one, “Am I truly saved?” – because there are so many false converts (“false brethren” 2 COR 11:26; GAL 2:4). There are tares among the wheat (MATT 13:27); and wolves in sheep’s clothing (MATT 7:15); lamps without oil (MATT 25:8); those with “a form of godliness but deny the power thereof” (2 TIM 3:5). And I, if I am an unsaved person, with a wicked heart, can most certainly deceive myself into thinking I’m saved (JER 17:9).
That’s why it’s essential that we examine ourselves to see if we are “in the faith” (2 COR 13:5) and then witnessing the verifiable changes in my life wherein all my relationships are altered:
With GOD, Who before was a mysterious, angry, judgmental GOD, but has become my Abba Father.I believe the real concern (aside from the false converts who believe they are saved based on reciting a sinner’s prayer) are saved Christians who are carnal (1 COR 3:3-4), who aren’t growing in Christ, who aren’t producing good fruit and good works to the level of excellence that the Father expects – there are those who are not yielded to the LORD, allowing Him to produce these things through them, and for which there will be rich reward at the Bema Seat of Christ. And among these carnal Christians there are no doubt some, to one degree or another, who are not genuinely saved.
With the LORD Jesus, Who I used to see as the founder of the Christian religion, but has become my LORD, Savior and Best and Faithful Friend.
With the Holy Spirit, as another mysterious force but has become my Helper and Counselor.
My relationship with the Bible changed, as did my relationship to this world, and the church, and also with sin. I’ve become a new creation indeed, and as such I can now have confidence in my standing with the LORD, knowing He has me securely (JOHN 10:28-29; 1 JOHN 4:13; 5:13)
If they aren’t growing in sanctification and Christlikeness, in holiness, bearing good fruit, producing good works, then once they appear before Christ Who has done so very much for them, providing everything that they needed in order to be fruitful, and they end up with “wood, hay and stubble” instead of “gold, silver, precious stones” – not only will they lack reward (but still be saved; 1 COR 3:12-15; 2 COR 5:10), but they will undoubtedly feel ashamed for having wasting precious time on fleshly things and not investing in the kingdom of GOD to which they are called.
NOTE TO NEW BELIEVERS: For those of you who have recently come to Christ, may I assure you, that since you are what Scripture states, “babes in Christ” – you’ve not a lot of time for fruit bearing, but please don’t be disheartened! You have produced fruit! It’s the fruit of repentance (MATT 3:8) as evidenced by how your life has been miraculously changed around!For more on this, check out the following TTUF articles with guest writer (the now late Lambert Dolphin): The Judgment Seat of Christ – PART One, PART Two, PART Three.
Also, another TTUF article: Are You Ready for Rapture, Reward and Reign with Christ?
I must say, I’m rather surprised at the length of this article, having exposited only on these two verses! But I believe it was time well spent! So, we will stop here and pick up on PHILIPPIANS 2 – PART Three next time!
And if a little is good, then is more better? Maybe! In the two part article below JAMES 2 and 1 JOHN 2 are examined, along with the truth statement "justified by works".
What about this TTUF article: SHOWCASE SALVATION –Pt. 1 & PART 2
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THANKS ELDER GLORY BE TO THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY JESUS CHRIST MAY MERCY GRACE & LOVE BE MULTIPLIED
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