Lesson 2110

(Lesson 2110)(09-15-17)  Philippians 2:12-18
    “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now muchmore in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”

    While congratulating the Philippians for thier loyalty and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul said, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. There are some today,  who contend that this bit of text is a foundation for their belief that a lost soul, through keeping him/herself from all sin, is required to “work out” their own salvation. However, according to the vast majority of New Testament teaching, nothing could be further from the truth.
    As is clearly documented throughout the New Testament, eternal salvation comes to each lost soul by by grace (a gift from God) through faith alone. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)  The following is another confirmation that salvation comes by faith, (believing). When Paul was asked by the Philippian jailer, “what shall I do to be saved”, Paul said, “Believe on (have faith in) the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” There was NO requirement beyond belief, or faith. Yet another confirmation that salvation is by faith alone comes straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ, “Verily, verily I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”
    There can be no greater confirmation or assurance than that coming straight from the mouth of God.~