Salvation with Fear and Trembling

Abraham offers his son Isaac, Rembrandt

The Lord spoke to me today through these verses in the apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Phi 2:5-7)

I need to empty myself as Jesus emptied Himself, because the Word tells me to have the same attitude in myself that was also in Christ Jesus.  Self needs to be crucified and put to death as Jesus commanded.

Paul went on to write: “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;” (Phi 2:12)

My salvation is not a foregone conclusion.  Just because I have given my life to Jesus does not mean I can sit back and relax now until I die, knowing I have a guarantee of eternity in heaven.  I must work out my salvation with fear and trembling. 

Fear
Why should I fear?  Because God is holy and He requires His people to live nothing less than holy lives.  He says, “Without holiness, no one shall see God.” I should fear God with a holy reverence, as I wrote about previously.  I fear Him who has the power to destroy both my body and soul in hell, as Jesus warned, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Mat 10:28).  As Luke recorded it, Jesus said, "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luk 12:5)


Trembling
Why should I tremble?  Because few people will be saved, and many people who call Jesus Lord are going to hell.  Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” (Mat 7:21). Many Christians merely hear the Word, but do not do what it says.  At the judgment, Jesus will tell them, “Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” I should tremble, because hell is a terrible place of unimaginable torment.  Because people are there right now experiencing its horrors that will never end.  It’s eternal and there is no way out.  Once I die, there will be no further opportunity to repent or ask the Lord for mercy.  It’s final.  So right now while I am still alive on the earth, I need to live my life with trembling.  I need to consider the realities of hell.  I need to repent daily with trembling for even the smallest sins I commit. As pastor Yong-Doo Kim wrote in his book, Baptize by Blazing Fire, “A daily repentant life is the fastest and shortest route to God’s mercy and compassion.”

Working out My Salvation
Why should I work out my salvation? I should work it out, because I was saved to do good works that were created long ago for me to do.  These good works were created before the foundation of the world.  This is why I am on earth at this time.  It’s my purpose.  I must no longer live for myself to please myself, but for Him who died for me and was raised again (2 Cor 5:15).  I must work out my salvation, because faith without good deeds is useless and dead (Jas 2:14-26).  I must work for the Lord while it is yet day, for the night comes when no man can work (Jn 9:4).

Putting it All Together
My friend, let me encourage you to do the same.  Have the same attitude that was in Christ Jesus, and Empty yourself to the best of your ability.  Your salvation is not a foregone conclusion.  Just because you have confessed Jesus as your Savior does not mean you can go on living like the world or living life for yourself.

We need to fear the Lord, who can destroy both body and soul in hell.  Taking the words of Jesus, "I tell you, fear Him!"  He is holy.  Tremble before Him at the thought of what you really deserve.  We all deserve eternity in hell, a place of unimaginable and eternal torment. And once we are saved, we must be very careful to live the holy life He requires.  Without holiness, no one will see God.

Work out your salvation, and do what the Lord has commanded you to do.  Whatever He requires of you, do it.  Be like Abraham, the man of faith, who worked out his faith with fear and trembling.  When the Lord told Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, he obeyed, as depicted in the painting by Rembrandt above. 

If you want to experience God's compassion and mercy, then live a daily life of repentance.

Author's note: You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."  

Do you want to know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. Your first step is to repent and pray like this from a sincere heart:

HEAVENLY FATHER,
I have sinned against you.
I want forgiveness for all my sins.
I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again.
Father, I give you my life to do with as you wish. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart. This I ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

If you repented and prayed this sincerely from your heart, then you are a child of God. You have a relationship with the Lord. Now cultivate that relationship and produce the fruit of repentance. Like any other personal relationship, this one requires you to spend time with Him for it to grow more intimate. So spend time daily, seeking the Lord, calling upon Jesus name, repenting of any sin in your life, talking to Him and listening to His voice. Read His Word, the Bible, in order to see what God wants for your life and all the wonderful promises He has given you. As soon as possible, you need to tell someone that you have given your life to Jesus. Join with other loving believers who believe the Bible and preach the good news of salvation in Jesus alone, be water baptized, and find a place of service in that loving community.  Be sure and share the good news of Jesus with those who don’t know Him, and live faithfully for the Lord all your life. 

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International. He is based in Eastern Europe, where he is helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, and planting churches that multiply. www.dmiworld.org.