Working out our own salvation

[98cwitr]

It is kind of hard for me not to read a little pride into your comment (forgive me if I am wrong, it's just the way it comes across). You alluded that Philippians 2:12-13 doesn't apply to you and you don't see how it associates with building faith. It may be that you only differ in your interpretation of the passage; if that is so, why not present your understanding of it instead of shrugging. While I am pretty solid on my understanding, I am open minded to what you have to say.

On the contrary, you might be perceiving pride instead of my honest confusion. I am confused because I feel like I have been spared by God time and time again, and am still such a horrible sinner. Not saying it doesn't apply, but Im saying that I havent done so. I have not worked out my salvation with fear and trembling, and this is not out of pride, but maybe stubbornness. I do not fear because I don't believe there is anything I do to earn my way into God's good graces.

 

[Avid]

... Im saying that I havent done so. I have not worked out my salvation with fear and trembling, and this is not out of pride, but maybe stubbornness. I do not fear because I don't believe there is anything I do to earn my way into God's good graces.

If there is any lack, if there is any desire or need, the smallest effort is not too much to expect. Consider the words of Jesus Christ our LORD. He warned us to FEAR.

Matthew 10
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
​

If we close with Christ, and abandon whatever stubbornness keeps us from doing so, we may seek Him with all our heart. Consider that all the world lies in sin, and THEY don't fear God. They are not trembling, because they do not believe He will condemn them.

Don't let it be out of ignorance, and out of a misconceived idea of what is required of ANYONE who seeks God.

Jeremiah 29
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
​

Read this sermon. It will take a slow reader like me an hour. Read it as often as time allows.

What can a Sinner Do to be Saved?

http://www.achristianspirit.com/6-THINGS.html

What would keep any of us from doing simple things that are intended to help to us get what we seek from God? These do not EARN anything, and no result is guaranteed, but without them, anyone would only be fooling themselves to think they are really serious.

If we have a problem with sin, and are not freed from what we admit is bad for us, we need to SEEK THE LORD for His help.

Romans 7
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
​

If we know something we do is wrong, we then admit that God to RIGHT in condemning us, because we are saying God's law is right and good. The penalty of the least infraction of the law is death.

We are under the law of God (not one small part will pass away till ALL is fulfilled,) until God works in us to bring us to Christ. When we are freed from sin by God, we are free indeed. (John 8:36) It is not that we can get just so far with God, and shrug-off all responsibility because we have a doctrine. The scriptures do not support anything of that sort, though I hear many differing versions of it from people.

If any legal authority was to require us to appear before them, we would be SERIOUS about our preparation. Our shirttail would be tucked in, the tie would be straight, and any info we might need would be organized, and readily available! We would not take that lightly, knowing that a failure here could cause us to be incarcerated, or fined. Take God seriously.

.

 

[98cwitr]

Romans 2:14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Thank you for the encouragement, Avid!

 

[rick357]

On the contrary, you might be perceiving pride instead of my honest confusion. I am confused because I feel like I have been spared by God time and time again, and am still such a horrible sinner. Not saying it doesn't apply, but Im saying that I havent done so. I have not worked out my salvation with fear and trembling, and this is not out of pride, but maybe stubbornness. I do not fear because I don't believe there is anything I do to earn my way into God's good graces.

Often we confuse grace with mercy...mercy is an absolution by payment(from latin merces-payment) Jesus paid my sin debt and if that had been all that happened It would be miserable...why
Adam sinned- it was a seed that formed death in him.-this death passed to his seed before finaly his physical body succumed. This seed was knowledge of good and evil(knowledge is experianced learning is gathering information)
Moses gives the law...man doesnt have to depend on himself to know what is right God has told him...When he agrees with it and trys to perform it he learns what Paul taught when I would do good evil is presant with me.I can see the light but I can not reach it I am in chains-a slave to sin and death. Note the law did not make this happen it only showed it to me(for death reigned from adam to moses.
With sin and death paid my Adamic nature of death must remain crucified with christ. So how do I live...the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now makes my body alive.
This is grace...the gift I did not earn but what exactly is it....to those he gave the power to become the sons of God....fellow heirs with father Abraham whose promise was I AM thy shield and exceedingly great reward(God is his reward)....as thou Father are in me and I in thee they also may be one in us....it is no longer I but christ through me. This is the gift
Christ through us gives us life( Jesus defines life as knowing the Father-and remember knowing is experiance.)
Now we come to philippians...our old man is crucified with christ the new man is made alive by the spirit...the spirit does not sin...so how can I. The old man(self) is dead but not gone until corruption puts on incorruption. He will try to resurrect by decieving you...how do you know if he has done this - you sin. He your old man can never subject to God but he should be dead...MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT.
how do we escape when he seems to be in charge...we are saved + by grace+ through faith. Trust Jesus words are true the old man died at the crucifiction through Holy Spirit The Father and Jesus have joined you as one with them. They will not force you but if you trust them they live in and through you....so where is the fear and trembling....once you understand these things you will know whithout submission and trust in him the old man is your only option and he is bound in sin.

 

[MrJim]

Hi MrJim, I am not sure I see a connection with Philippians 2:12-13, which speaks of "working out" our own salvation (again, not "for" our salvation) and the Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. I would love for you to elaborate on it; thanks!

Matt 13:20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Simply that in the "stony" situation the believer did not endure~~enduring is work after all...in the "thorns" situation has become unfruitful because of the reasons given...and it takes effort to put aside the cares and deceitfulness of the world. Fear and trembling are involved because it ain't how you start this race but how you finish it.

Of course all this doesn't apply if you are an Eternal Security believer and/or Calvinist predestinarian...

 

[rick357]

Simply that in the "stony" situation the believer did not endure~~enduring is work after all...in the "thorns" situation has become unfruitful because of the reasons given...and it takes effort to put aside the cares and deceitfulness of the world. Fear and trembling are involved because it ain't how you start this race but how you finish it.

Of course all this doesn't apply if you are an Eternal Security believer and/or Calvinist predestinarian...

Or maybe both would say that the "word of the Kingdom" is to be shared with all men but some men believe for self serving reasons so have not the grace of God but merely mental agreement not a heart change so the message can not endure...they might say it like that

 

[MrJim]

Or maybe both would say that the "word of the Kingdom" is to be shared with all men but some men believe for self serving reasons so have not the grace of God but merely mental agreement not a heart change so the message can not endure...they might say it like that

Maybe they would say it that way---Jesus didn't though.

 

[rick357]

Maybe they would say it that way---Jesus didn't


Taken from Genesis to Revelations I see that it does

 

[98cwitr]

Often we confuse grace with mercy...mercy is an absolution by payment(from latin merces-payment) Jesus paid my sin debt and if that had been all that happened It would be miserable...why
Adam sinned- it was a seed that formed death in him.-this death passed to his seed before finaly his physical body succumed. This seed was knowledge of good and evil(knowledge is experianced learning is gathering information)
Moses gives the law...man doesnt have to depend on himself to know what is right God has told him...When he agrees with it and trys to perform it he learns what Paul taught when I would do good evil is presant with me.I can see the light but I can not reach it I am in chains-a slave to sin and death. Note the law did not make this happen it only showed it to me(for death reigned from adam to moses.
With sin and death paid my Adamic nature of death must remain crucified with christ. So how do I live...the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now makes my body alive.
This is grace...the gift I did not earn but what exactly is it....to those he gave the power to become the sons of God....fellow heirs with father Abraham whose promise was I AM thy shield and exceedingly great reward(God is his reward)....as thou Father are in me and I in thee they also may be one in us....it is no longer I but christ through me. This is the gift
Christ through us gives us life( Jesus defines life as knowing the Father-and remember knowing is experiance.)
Now we come to philippians...our old man is crucified with christ the new man is made alive by the spirit...the spirit does not sin...so how can I. The old man(self) is dead but not gone until corruption puts on incorruption. He will try to resurrect by decieving you...how do you know if he has done this - you sin. He your old man can never subject to God but he should be dead...MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT.
how do we escape when he seems to be in charge...we are saved + by grace+ through faith. Trust Jesus words are true the old man died at the crucifiction through Holy Spirit The Father and Jesus have joined you as one with them. They will not force you but if you trust them they live in and through you....so where is the fear and trembling....once you understand these things you will know whithout submission and trust in him the old man is your only option and he is bound in sin.

Quite true, Rick! Thank you for sharing that.