“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12–13
As Christians we are called to reject sin and be obedient to God, which Jesus said demonstrates our love for him (John 14:15). Our Savior not only charged us with this command, but also provided the means to see this work out in our lives by sending the Holy Spirit. Paul here encourages the church to pursue sanctification, or the miracle of God conforming us to the image of his son. In Philippians we are called to be obedient so that “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” we “shine as lights in the world,” (Phil. 2:15) reflecting the light of God’s love to others.
Elsewhere in Philippians, Paul calls on the church to “press on” in our pursuit of holiness “because Christ Jesus has made me his own” (Phil. 3:12). It is important to note that Paul did not say press on in the pursuit of holiness so that Christ Jesus would make us his own but because he already has. In no way does Paul mean to tell us that we are working to earn our salvation. Your good works are not intended to commend you to God—but to commend God to the world.
Yet we know we fall short of this charge by giving into temptation. Instead of being lights in the world of the love of Christ, we become stumbling blocks to others who see our sin as proof that there is nothing different in our lives from those who reject the gospel we confess. Paul reminds us in this passage of the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives, which provides a salvation from an attacking temptation to choose sin. As Christians, we are not simply trying to live more disciplined lives; we are pursuing the promise of God to completely transform us to work out of his will and be obedient to him. That miracle of sanctification will be fully consummated on the glorious day we see our Savior face to face (1 John 3:2). Until that day, in those moments of temptation God promises to be present and at work in us both to will and to work for his good pleasure as we pursue holiness by the power of his Spirit.
As we become aware of his manifest presence in our lives conforming our will, strengthening us to do the work of obedience, there is only one response. The only response in the presence of the almighty LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, is fear and trembling. These words are used throughout Scripture to describe a reaction to being in the presence of God. But this fear is what Martin Luther described as a filial fear as a child feels for a loving father. As you realize how powerless and hopeless you are without him, and marvel at his very real presence in your life you will experience fear and trembling as you praise the gift of salvation, delivering you from sin, and changing you from degree of glory another.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
