…work out your salvation with fear and trembling…                                                                                                         

                                                                 Philippians 2:12b 

As Christians we all have an assignment in this life. God has redeemed us for service to make an eternal difference in the lives of those around us. Once we discover what our gifting and design is and begin to put it to work, we unlock not only a world of possibilities but also we begin to enjoy life the way God designed it. Tragically, too many believers seem to be merely surviving rather than thriving. I believe that one reason for this is that too many people in the church are living far below their spiritual potential.

Today’s passage is a reminder to all of us that we should be putting our faith to work. Unfortunately, some have interpreted this passage to indicate that we must work if we are to make it to heaven someday. But Paul is not teaching a works-based gospel rather he is reminding us that our faith should yield a life of service to God. Just as a caution to remind us not to adopt such an interpretation, here is Paul’s very clear teaching on the good news and salvation apart from works: 

…nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. 

                                                                                                               Galatians 2:16 

Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, 

                                                                                                                 Romans 4:4-5 

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

                                                                                                               Ephesians 2:8-9 

And we should not forget Paul’s response when asked the direct question regarding how to be saved: 

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They (Paul and Silas) said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

                                                                                                            Acts 16:30b-31 

Once we have established that we are not working for our salvation rather working because of it, we are ready to explore the possibilities that God has for all of us who place our faith in Christ. Paul gives us two very valuable instructions regarding this matter:

…and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

                                                                                                         2 Corinthians 5:15

As believers, we are to be living not for ourselves rather for the One who died and rose on our behalf. Because of our gratefulness to God for redemption, we should now move out with a heart of gratitude and spiritual victory to shine as lights in a dark world. Committing our lives to Jesus is synonymous with salvation. The Christian life is a life of enjoyment, power, inner peace, and love. These characteristics given to us by the power of God’s Spirit allow us to focus on what is really important, guiding others to Jesus. But Paul gives us another important instruction and it comes on the heals of his declaration of salvation by God’s grace through our faith: 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

                                                                                                     Ephesians 2:10 

God has a plan, purpose, and design for every life. It begins at conversion and continues on throughout our entire life. When we find that our spiritual life seems stale and lifeless, we have most likely fallen into the religious trap in which all things pertaining to God are reduced to empty, ceremonial ritual. This is not the kind of life that Christ died for us to have. He desires for us to live abundantly (John 10:10). He desires for us to be “filled up to all the fullness of God” and to have “rivers of living water flowing from within our lives” (Ephesians 3:19, John 7:38). God’s abundance is there for anyone who will call on His name (Romans 10:12). As we begin to understand the surpassing greatness of God’s power at work within us as believers, we are then ready to set out on the greatest adventure we could ever experience, that of serving the living God (Ephesians 1:19).

Are you putting your faith to work? Have you freely received salvation, forgiveness, and healing through faith in the name of Jesus? Don’t waste another day! Set out to find God’s design for you and then begin putting your faith to work!