Philippians 2:12 – Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)

Verse twelve tells us to work out our own salvation.  Can we actually do that?  Yes, that is what Paul seems to be saying in verse twelve from today’s passage.  To properly understand this verse, let us put it into context.  Paul is not writing to people who do not yet know Jesus, he was writing to people whose salvation was secure.  Remember, he had been writing to them about keeping among their church members the same mind as Jesus, plus he has been saying that he may not be able to return to them.  So in verse twelve, Paul is essentially saying that they are to follow the Christian way of life without further assistance from Paul.  Consider the New Living Translation: “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation.”

Verse twelve also mentions fear and trembling.  This term causes some to raise a few questions.  When we hear the phrase ‘fear and trembling’, we may think of someone cowering in fear.  In the Biblical sense, ‘fear and trembling’ means to live in a deep and personal relationship with God.  It speaks of awe and reverence, not cowardice.   This deep personal relationship with God is to be displayed in our relationships with others.  In 2 Corinthians 7:15, Paul is rejoicing over the way that the Corinthians had received Titus.  He writes: “And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.”  They did not fear Titus, but rather they shared their relationship with God through their relationship with Titus. 

Keeping this in mind, Paul tells the Philippians that if they are faithful in doing this, that they will shine like the stars in the sky (verse 15).  The word Paul uses for ‘shine’ is literally ‘light givers’.  So, in this passage Paul is telling us three things: Keep living the Christian life, doing the good things that God has created us to do; Let the relationship we have with God be displayed in our relationship with others; be a light giver.

How better to glorify the Light of the world than to give that Light to others!  That’s good stuff! 

Posted by Ramón Torres