Throughout history, humanity has longed for a savior—a concept that permeates our culture, from blockbuster movies to business and various spheres of society. This universal yearning reflects our deep-seated desire for salvation.
Even during Jesus’s earthly ministry, his disciples mistakenly believed his mission was to liberate them from Roman oppression.
However, God’s salvation plan transcends earthly concerns, focusing instead on spiritual redemption. Through Christ Jesus, this salvation has already been freely given to humanity.
One of the Christian circles’ most frequently asked questions is: “How to work out your Salvation?”
This question stems from our innate drive to perform and achieve, which isn’t inherently negative.
However, considering Jesus’s finished work on Calvary raises important questions: Are there actions we must take to maintain our salvation? Is salvation truly a free gift?
What is the biblical foundation for working out our salvation, and what does this concept mean?
In this bible teaching, we’ll carefully examine these questions surrounding the great salvation we’ve received.
We’ll clarify the concept, address common misconceptions, and ultimately equip you to fully embrace and enjoy the salvation graciously bestowed upon you.
Join the Riches of Christ as we delve into the profound implications of working out our salvation, balancing the completeness of Christ’s work with our ongoing spiritual journey.
THE DEFINITION OF SALVATION
The Greek word for salvation is (sōtēria). It comes from the root word (sōzō), which means “to save” or “to deliver.”
Salvation or (sōtēria) encompasses several key concepts:
- Deliverance from danger or suffering
- Preservation from destruction or failure
- Spiritual and eternal deliverance granted by God
Now, let’s look at some scriptural references that help define and illustrate the concept of salvation:
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV): “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Acts 4:12 (NIV): “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to man by which we must be saved.”
Titus 2:11-14 (NIV): “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
THE ROLE OF FAITH AND GRACE IN RECEIVING SALVATION
Receiving Salvation is a function of the grace of God and faith in his death, burial, and resurrection. This doctrine was taught by the Apostles.
Salvation is a free gift from God and can NEVER be earned through human efforts.
The Gospel doesn’t require faith from you instead it supplies faith to you that leads you to Salvation.
Salvation comes through grace and faith in Jesus’s sacrifice and not adherence to the Laws of Moses.
It is faith in the Gospel that provides access to God’s grace and the result is righteousness or justification.
Below are scriptural references that highlight the inseparable nature of faith and grace in the process of salvation:
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Romans 3:23-24 (NIV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 2:16 (NIV) “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law because, by the works of the law, no one will be justified.”
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV) “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
Titus 3:4-7 (NIV) “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Acts 15:11 (NIV) “No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Romans 4:16 (NIV) “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.”
HOW TO WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING
We are going to look into the Bible text that mentions working out your salvation, explain what it means, and deal with misconceptions surrounding it.
Philippians 2 vs 12 – 13: Wherefore, 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,
Verse 13: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
To interpret the Bible correctly, we must know first that all the books of the Bible were letters written, so when you are reading a letter, you do not read one part, you read all the letters so you don’t take a verse out of context.
Now in Philippians Chapter 1 vs 1, Paul called the Church and Believers in Philippi “saints”. Do you think this was a cliché or an empty statement? Of course not, every believer is a saint.
If you are a saint, how come you are asked to walk out your Salvation?
Philippians 1 vs 6: Paul says “God who had begun a good work in them will perform it. Question: Who began the work? You or Christ? Who will perform the work? You or Christ? Am sure your answer is as good as mine.
So, when we come over to Philippians 2 vs 12, it says “wherefore” which means Paul must have been coming from a discourse (from verses 1 to 11).
In verse 12, Paul used the word “as ye have always obeyed” which means a completed action in the past” – the obedience of faith in the Gospel.
Together, “fear and trembling” (is an idiomatic expression that doesn’t mean being scared, terrified, or frightened, it simply means a sense of reverence, awe, or respect for the great magnitude of work concerning your Salvation.
The beginning text of Philippians 2 vs 13 says “for” which means “because” or “since” which explains or gives the reason for the preceding statement in Philippians 2 vs 12.
So, we can boldly say that Paul is essentially saying: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, “because” it is God who is at work in you…”
This connection between Philippians 2 vs 12 and 13 emphasizes that the believers’ efforts in “working out” their salvation are grounded in and enabled by God’s work within them.
Question: Who is working in and with you? God or yourself? Of course, the answer is God.
When we put all of these together, we can say that working out your Salvation is not done by Man but by God.
God is constantly and always working in the believer to will and do his good pleasures.
Therefore to “work out your Salvation” is to depend on the goodness of God and his inherent ability in you.
See scriptures that show that it is God’s work to preserve you until Christ’s return, it is never your work, this is how deep and wide God’s love is for us.
Paul will always pray this believer’s prayer…” that we may know the love of Christ that passeth knowledge”, Ephesians 3 vs 19.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, states:
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
Jude 1:24 – Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present (you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
1 Corinthians 1:8 – Who shall also confirm you unto the end, (that ye may be) blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO SALVATION?
There are no “steps” to Salvation, to receive Salvation, you only have to believe in what Christ has done.
This Salvation was what was promised to Abraham in Genesis, in Romans 4 vs 3 says: “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness”.
In the introduction, we explained that Salvation is Spiritual and eternal deliverance done only by God and not man, which means man cannot save himself and if man cannot save himself, man cannot therefore work to keep this Salvation that he has received.
Romans 10:9-10 (NLT) says: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Verse 10: For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
Question: How do you get saved? By believing that Christ is alive and not in the grave which grants you justification and then confessing with your mouth.
Accept Jesus today for there is no salvation in the grave.
The “confessing” here doesn’t mean “confessing your sins” but confessing his Lordship over your Life.
We have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or, fade and we have been born into a living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead.
Salvation is already complete for when Jesus gave up the ghost on the cross, he said “It is finished” and “not to be continued”.
Now that you’ve embarked on your journey of salvation, discover the next steps in your spiritual growth in our upcoming article.
Blessing Saints!
My passion lies in reaching out to young adults in communities and schools, witnessing the transformative power of faith in their lives.
This blog extends my ministry, sharing insights, encouraging believers, and exploring Christ's teachings in daily life.
Welcome, Brother James.
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