Salvation: Fear and Trembling

A wise and sobering challenge:

What does it mean to work out our salvation in fear and trembling?

We can only work out a salvation that God has already worked in us. This means that first we must accept the salvation given to us by faith - Jesus died for us, this is how God works salvation in us - by faith! We are then called to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27). Since we are saved by God in Christ Jesus (and sealed by the Holy Spirit), we should act like we are saved and bear spiritual fruit.

Galations 5:22-23;  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Ephesians 5:8-10   "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord."

The word Paul uses for for salvation can and does also refer to deliverance in the Greek. Paul uses the same Greek word for salvation to refer also to deliverance from other things other than eternal condemnation (Philippians 1:19, 1:12-17). The same word used again in 1:28 means eternal salvation and deliverance from opposition.

Paul begin this message in Philippians 1:27-30 where he calls for unity in the faith. As he continues, Paul explains that the unity is needed because our faith is always under attack.

Unity is a sign of destruction of the opposition, a sign of deliverance. Enemies of faith can not prevail against believer’s who are unified. Salvation is both physical and temporal (deliverance from the condemnation and ways of this world), as well as spiritual and eternal. God works through temporal sufferings of the opposition (this is deliverance or salvation from the temporal sufferings). The victory is won!

In Philippians 2:1-4 Paul explains unity:
• We are encouraged that we are united with Christ
• We can feel comfort from his love
• We are secure (sealed) in fellowship with the Spirit
• We exhibit tenderness and compassion, and
• We seek to make joy complete by being
     ○ like-minded
     ○ share the same love
     ○ are one in spirit and in purpose
     ○ do everything out of humility considering others better than ourselves
         (Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit)
     ○ look not only to your own interest, but to the interests of others

Philippians 2:5-7 gives a model for our humility as the Lord Jesus who obeyed His Father. The Father exalts those who humble themselves and fear the Lord.

Philipians 2 continues the ‘wise and sobering challenge:’ What we do in private is as important as what we do in public “as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence” continue to allow God’s will to work through you in deliverance and hence, salvation.

While obeying (working out salvation with fear and trembling, through humility and submission that Christ exemplified) God delivers us from the opposition. When we display the characteristics of our salvation, it is God working His will through us!

Unity proves believer’s to be “blameless and innocent” in this corrupted world. We then shine as lights of the Gospel.

The challenge is that we are transformed by God’s will when we are in unity and as we humble ourselves toward our brothers and sisters in faith. When we kneel to serve one another, God’s will working in us helps us to stand during the difficulties of this world. In Philippians 2:12, we do not have a call to work to gain eternal salvation (we can't do this anyway, it is by faith that we are saved), we are instead called to victorious deliverance from spiritual defeat in our sufferings because we obey and submit to the will of God working in us through His Holy Spirit that transforms us.

This is what is meant to work through your salvation (deliverance) in fear and trembling…it is the fear of the Lord, God’s will who works through us and secures our salvation or deliverance from the ravages of this world.

Spiritual Core Competencies

Foundational core competencies are rooted upon integrity, honesty, fairness, and equality. Spiritual foundational core competencies are a process and include the core competencies of integrity, honesty, truth, fairness, and equality but they manifest differently in the believer. The process itself is intended to ‘weed’ out the unfaithful by tests of faith through which we must persevere (remember Jesus in the desert?). It wasn’t until AFTER Jesus persevered in the desert that he became filled with the Holy Spirit and began preaching. During this testing, it was found that his intentions were honorable and his through his faith, he was sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Credibility is established by our intent. Rooted within intent you will find truth, integrity and honesty. In order to speak the truth, you must know the truth. Knowledge and instruction is given through God’s Holy Spirit.

Authority is established through faith in believing that our God is just and that His mercy is justice.

With authority, comes power. Jesus was able to cast out demons, heal the sick, and to forgive infirmities. He was given both the power and authority over all the earth and he passed his authority and power onto believers to continue His work in His name.

Because of the power of God through the Holy Spirit, Jesus and His followers are able to influence others.

Spiritual foundational core competencies are required as clearly illustrated by the following scriptures.

The process begins through faith. Credibility (knowledge bridged with intent) becomes authority and with the authority comes the power of the Holy Spirit and with this power, comes influence. We can make a difference!

Credibility

• Exodus 8:10 “Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.”


• Deuteronomy 2:7 “For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.”


• Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”


• Deuteronomy 8:2 “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.”


• Isaiah 45:3 “And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.”


• Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

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Intent

• 2 Samuel 7:20 “And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.”


• 2 Samuel 14:20 “(…) and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.”


• 1 Chronicles 28:9 “know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”

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Authority

• 1 Kings 17:24 Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.


• 1 Kings 18:36 “LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.”


• Isaiah 55:5 “Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.”

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Power

• Hosea 13:4 “Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.”


• Exodus 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.


• Exodus 15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.


• Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.


• Deuteronomy 9:29 Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm.


• 2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.


• 1 Chronicles 29:11 Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.


• 1 Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.


• 1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.


• 1 Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.


• 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.


• 1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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Influence

• Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.


• Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,


• Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,


• Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.


• Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,


• Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.


• Matthew 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.


• Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.


• Mark 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:


• Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;


• Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.


• Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.


• Luke 4:36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.


• Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.


• Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.


• 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.


• John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:


• John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.


• John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.


• John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.


• 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.


• Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

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Faith

• Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,


• 2 Corinthians 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.


• Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.


• Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.


• Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:


• Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.


• Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.


• Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,


• 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

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Process

• 2 Corinthians 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,


• 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


• 1 Corinthians 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:


• Acts 4:
  
  • 7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
  
  
  
  
• Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.


• Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.


• Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.


• Romans 8
  
  • 1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  
  
  
  
• Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

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Sensitivity

The Holy Spirit works in our heart, quiet and unseen, slow and constant. He works in the very foundations of our hearts bringing about a transformation. The Spirit's influence in our lives isn't always easy to see, but it's always present.

At this time I have to remember to pray for heightened sensitivity to the Lord's quiet influence in my heart, and for help to put these many new discoveries into His words to share with others' the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Too, we are to be ready both in season and out of season:

• "The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned" (Isaiah 50:4, KJV).
• "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Colossians 4:6, KVJ).
• "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2, KJV).

Being ready means knowing scriptures for the Word of God is our credibility upon which we can stand.

Recently in the coursework of my formal studies, I posted a comment in general regarding experiences I have had within the church focusing on the importance of discerning that which is taught and preached. The professor wrote to me and suggested that I use credible resources to back up my posts, theories, etc. At first I became offended by this suggestion as I believe that the eye-witness testimony of the scribes working through the Holy Spirit who wrote the Bible is sufficient resources, better too than religious scholars who were not or ever will be present.

I carried this bitterness through the course at which time I continued in prayer that the Lord change my heart with regards to this situation. I felt so insulted and the public reprimand in front of my fellow peers in the classroom multiplied my humility. During the latter days of the class, as we were winding down our studies into summaries posted in Dialogue, I became aware that although our class was about organizational communication, many of the students posted responses that the class only served to reinforce that which they had already known - stating that they were not changed in any way. This puzzled me as without challenge there is no growth and thus our efforts become futile.

I challenged the students in the forum in the area of honesty by posting a comment concerning whether or not our words and our actions actually balance, for this is the true root of honesty through which integrity is born. It was evident through the posts of many students that their words were merely empty because their actions and attitudes were not in balance. After reading several posts it became clear to me how I could use the humility the instructor posted publically for good! When a fellow student posted that he thought honesty was based upon his desired outcome, I cited several formal references to the meaning of honesty and of truth (referring to the lawful meaning as well) that I found on Answers.com - credible resources that cannot be refuted and were not out of the Bible (he is offended by spiritual matters - possibly an unbeliever or under the influence of deep rooted religious spirits).

This demonstrates and affirms what the Lord says "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Genesis 50-20, KJV). Their united attempts to discredit my posts through a requirement of sources (not required of other students, I might add), which was not meant for the good of the whole - God was able to turn around and make it good - just as I had asked. This is grace under fire and answers to prayers - testimony and evidence that God remains on the throne as per His promise to His people He will protect us.

I am thankful too that the Holy Spirit revealed this to me and that I was delivered from the bitterness of this root. I know now that in all things especially spiritual, Biblical matters, that I must know the Word and it's source and be able to reflect and call upon it in order to establish credibility. This credibility becomes authority and with the authority comes the power of the Holy Spirit and with this power, comes influence. We can make a difference!

Purpose versus Plan

I've been so concentrating on the purpose for my life that I've completely overlooked the point that I already know my purpose. As a believer, an apostle, the ecclesia, our purpose is to worship - to magnify Christ (Mark 12:30), evanglize (Col. 4:5), ministry (1 Peter 4:10), discipleship (Phil 2:5) as well as to prepare for life in eternity.

Today we studied the second in a six part series of "The Purpose Driven Life: 40 days of purpose." It occured to me that it all sounds like a rerun, I've heard this before (after all I've read the book and I also have it on CD). I then discovered that it isn't purpose I am seeking, but God's plan for my life.

I'm not talking about God's plan for salvation, I know that, I live it. I'm talking about God's plan for my life, with the talents, gifts, and skills that he has so generously imparted to me, what am I do to glorify Him? What would glorify Him? That is my purpose: to glorify Him by living His plan for life, not my own, but rather His life through me.

I read another blog today about a woman who sounds a lot like me however she is about 12 years younger. She has similar talents and skills. I am a full-time student majoring in Management and Leadership and I am doing very well with my studies. But how am I to serve God and to glorify Him with the talent and skills he has so graciously bestowed upon me? I suggested this to person that perhaps she should consider Life Coach or Change Management, which are two considerations I am looking into.

As a Life Coach I would be in good position to help mentor others, even disciple younger Christians into maturity in Christ so that they too, can expedite their purpose and God's plan for their life. Can it be true? Can I really serve in such a capacity and make a difference that glorifies the Father?

Points to ponder through purpose versus plan...