Mining Your Salvation
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Philippians 2:12-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;
What does it mean to “work out your own salvation?”
Many people believe it means that you work for your salvation, i.e.,do works in order to achieve your own salvation. However, that is not the meaning. In this passage, salvation is something that the Philippians already had been given.
So, what does it mean?
The words “work out” are from the Greek katergazomai. The word had special reference in the first century to solving math problems and also of digging out a mine that one had inherited.
“The verb “work out” carries the meaning of “work to full completion,” such as working out a problem in mathematics. In Paul’s day it was also used for “working a mine,” that is, getting out of the mine all the valuable ore possible; or “working a field” so as to get the greatest harvest possible. The purpose God wants us to achieve is Christlikeness, “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8: 29). There are problems in life, but God will help us to “work them out.” Our lives have tremendous potential, like a mine or a field, and He wants to help us fulfill that potential.” (Warren Wiersbe, Be Joyful: Even When Things Go Wrong You Can Have Joy-NT Commentary Philippians, 74 (Kindle Edition); Colorado Springs, CO; David C Cook)
There is a sense in which salvation belongs to us already as Christians (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Using this analogy, we have access to all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). But like a miner has to work and dig in order to mine the riches, so we must be willing to mine out the blessings that we have access to in Christ Jesus.
Do we want to enjoy the peace that surpasses all understanding? Then we must devote ourselves to grateful prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). Do we want to enjoy the blessings of fellowship that comes from the local church family? Then we must do our part to help the church grow in unity (Philippians 2:4-9). Do we want to enjoy the Presence of the Spirit more fully in our heart and life? Then we need to be willing to live and walk and worship in the Spirit (Philippians 3:3).
Do you see the idea?
The salvation is ours already!
We just need to put in the work in order to reap the benefits of that salvation in our daily lives.
Yes, salvation can be forfeited by willful neglect and unrepentant sin (2 Peter 2:20-22). Yet that isn’t what Paul is discussing here. He wants us to understand the blessings that we already have access to, and if we will just mine the riches of the salvation that we have been freely given.
Father, thank You for the gift of salvation. We don’t deserve it, and could never earn it. But You have graciously given it to us. Help us to mine it in gratitude. We praise You. In Jesus Name, Amen.