(Philippians 2:12-13) Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who active within you to will and work for his good pleasure.

Often, two biblical statements seem contradictory to each other, but they are not.

Philippians 2:12–13 is a good example.

This passage contains two phrases that seem opposed to one another, but they actually reveal one truth concerning how we spiritually mature in Jesus Christ.

In Philippians 2:12, Paul exhorts us to “work out our salvation” with fear and trembling. He emphasizes that our personal response of faith plays a role in our growth and spiritual maturity.

However, Philippians 2:13 makes it clear that we are to “work out our salvation” because God is already active within our hearts, working in us to fulfill His good pleasure and purpose.

Both statements are true, but it is important to understand the sequence of these two truths.

The first truth is that the Holy Spirit—steeped in grace—is continually working within our hearts to produce the character of Christ in our lives.

This is an indicative truth—a truth concerning God’s faithful action.

The second truth of this passage is fully based on the first: We are to respond in faith—to work out our salvation—in response to what the Holy Spirit is already working within us. We work out our salvation through faith, based on what the Holy Spirit is already doing in our lives.

This is an imperative truth—a truth concerning our faithful response.

Salvation is one continuous process: We are initially saved by grace through faith, and we are continually being saved by grace through faith.

As we grow in our Christian lives, we must learn to partner with God’s internal work of grace, working out our salvation through faith as He continually transforms us into the image of Jesus Christ.

What a beautiful truth!

Are you trying to “work out your salvation” through your own efforts?

Or are you “working out your salvation” from a deep spiritual awareness that God is actively working within your inner life each day to bring about personal transformation?