Therefore, 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; (Philippians 2:12)

Paul commends the brethren for their past obedience and urges them to allow past victories to be an incentive to continue.  He urges them not to work to please earthly teachers, but for the approval of the Heavenly Father.

He exhorts them to work out their salvation.  “Salvation” means safety from danger and harm.  In scripture, it means the safety of the soul from sin and eternal condemnation.  Salvation is primarily a work of God, but it requires the faith and cooperation of man.  It should be one’s chief work and concern.  One must keep walking in the light (I John 1:7), and must keep themselves in the love of God. (Jude 21)

The Lord commands his children to “strive” (Luke 13:24), to “press” (Philippians 3:13), and to “give diligence” (II Peter 1:5).  To “work out” or to carry to completion is a personal endeavor.  No other person can do this for you.  There is the need of perseverance to complete the task.

Finally, Paul says work it out with “fear and trembling”.  Fear or reverence is an essential element in holy living.  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; (1 Peter 1:17)  One’s service to God is to be with reverence and godly fear. (Hebrews 12:28)  Hallowed be thy name must the posture of every prayer (Matthew 6:9) Too much is at stake to take this task lightly.

Our salvation is not yet accomplished.  Hopefully, it is nearer than when we first believed.  As long as sin still haunts us, temptations still attack us, and troubles still threaten us, our work is not finished.  The perfecting of our soul is a life- long process.  We must carry on what God has begun!

By George Slover

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalms 19:14)
 
Being acceptable to God is often thought of in terms of approved behavior.  So, if we assemble with the saints, practice the prescribed forms of worship, and live a fairly decent life, we are surely accepted by God!  However, the above passage suggests a deeper level of acceptability in which God approves of the thoughts of our heart!
 
This later requirement is far more challenging.  It means that God not only wants the outside but also the inside!  He not only desires for us to behave as he behaves but to think as he thinks.  He wants us to have the humble mindset like His son (Phil. 2:5) and to approve of only of His standard of moral excellence (Phil. 1:9,10).  We are to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”.(II Cor. 10:5) Therefore, we must learn to love only the things that God loves and to hate the things that God hates.  We must be merciful as God is merciful, patient as he is patient, and just as he is just.  We must learn to have the ambitions of God namely that His will be done!
 
Just how can we learn to have such a mindset?  The word “meditation” points to the proper route to our success. "“Let …the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”"  Thus, the meditation of God’s law must be our delight (Ps. 1:2) and we must contemplate on His ways. (Ps. 119:15)  This will surely help us to achieve our desired goal!
 
by George Slover,

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:6,7) 

The pressures of the world can easily take their toll on the faith of any disciple. Perhaps Paul detects that the resolve of his “son in the faith” is weakening. Timothy needs courage to face the rising flood of challenges due to false teachers and wavering disciples. 

A solution to a weakening faith is to “remember”. Paul reminded Timothy of his roots – the faith of his mother and grandmother, and the wisdom of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:15) Timothy must stir up the gift given to him. He is enjoined to rekindle or refuel the fire.

Paul reminds Timothy that he has been given the tools necessary to win the battle. These were attitudes of the heart that would aid Timothy in the middle of the fight.

Negatively, God had not given the “spirit of fear”. There is no place for cowards among spiritual leaders, or even among disciples. God specifically condemns the fearful.(Revelation 21:8) This detrimental attitude can silence us at times when we must proclaim God’s message, or entice us to comply with popular conduct.

Instead of fear, servants of Christ are fortified with power. God equips his children with the weapons that enable them to endure the persecution and reproaches. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

The spirit of love empowers his disciples to press on. Divine love will help make them sincere in their care for souls, tireless in labor, fearless in the midst of trials, and willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater cause. 

The spirit of self-control or sound judgment gives us a proper perspective. The child of God is guarded from the world’s solicitations by the discipline and wisdom of God. 

When we become prideful and self-dependent, we need to be reminded that without Christ we are nothing. When we are timid, we must be reminded of the courage of Christ. When distracted, we must remember we are just pilgrims in this world. When negligent, we must remember the responsibility is pressing, and the time is short.

By George Slover

 

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”  (Ephesians 5:18,19)

When I was growing up I remember a favorite aunt of mine singing praises to God in the kitchen while she cooked.  At the time I did not fully appreciate this wonderful example as much as I do now.  In fact, one cannot successfully worship God in the assemblies unless he has been worshiping God during the week.  If I correctly understand the scene in Revelation, when we gather around the throne, we will for an eternity sing “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain”.   Since there is going to be so much singing in heaven it stands to reason that there should be a lot of singing on earth!
 
There is tremendous value in singing to God as we go through the day.  Such music should involve a declaration of biblical doctrines combined with the expression of our faith in those truths.  Spiritual songs can soothe a broken spirit (I Sam 16:19-23), teach and admonish a brother (Col. 3:16), reach the heart of a non-Christian (Acts 16:25), and help in time of temptation. (Ephesians 5:18,19)

The medicinal effects of music are strong.  If you’ve had problems with your marriage, or if you’ve been tempted with a personal sin, sing out!  Singing can soften the heart and help you to see the folly of your ways.  It is hard to sing “Amazing Grace” and sin at the same time.
So my brother sing out!  This is not an audition!  You’re making melody to the Lord, and one these days you will hear the host of heaven answering back for joy!
  
George Slover

By Ge