I think one of the favorite scripture clubs that the more self-righteous (and I’m pretty sure everyone of us has self-righteous moments), whether Christian or non-believer, enjoys using on those who do not measure up to their standards or preach their doctrines is recorded in Philippians 2:12:  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

I have the picture in my mind of someone (not the apostle Paul) taking a deep breath, speaking those words with force and by the time they get to the next verse all that is coming out of their mouth is a breathy whisper, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (v. 12).

To be perfectly honest, I have so focused at times on the working out of my salvation and the “fear and trembling” part that the message of the next verse comes across as subordinate.  The problem of outranking God’s work with our work is that salvation isn’t happening—because He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7).

So what about the “fear and trembling” part?  There is nothing in the Bible that supports adopting a spirit of fear – for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).  In fact, we are instructed, Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).  Is this another one of those contradictions that many who do not accept the Bible as the inerrant, infallible Word of God like to point to and say, “see there, I told you so”? –or is it one of those points of fine tension that cause us to run towards the Source of the scripture and ask, “What do you mean?”

There is one thought that immediately comes to mind – I, for one, would not consider approaching God apart from the righteousness of Jesus.  There is no shortage of reasons to adopt a posture of fear and trembling if I am coming to God on the basis of my works.  If I think for a minute that, in my sinful nature, there is something good to offer my Creator that could add towards my salvation, then I am living in a deluded state!  …and in those moments when I do not recognize the sinfulness of my humanity—God help me!

And that is the point—it is God, who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure!  It starts with willingness, which He gives us, and then He equips us with everything good that we may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever! (Hebrews 13:21).

Perhaps the tension these scriptures expose is our having a right perspective of who God is when we come before him.  –correct in our understanding of His holiness and our insufficiency apart from Christ.  –correct in our perception of our size in comparison to His.  –correct in our understanding of His power and our powerlessness.  –correct in the balance between His goodness and our feeble attempts at doing good.  It is from a position of rightly discerning who His is and responding to His promises of loving-kindness and faithfulness that we can rejoice always, come before Him confidently with thanksgiving, and respond to the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts.

It is not for us to determine how God is working in our hearts; rather, it is the job of the Holy Spirit, who is like the wind—we can see the effects of Him blowing through our lives but we do not tell Him which pile of leaves to stir up!  Our part is to trust that He, who began the good work in us, will bring it to completion.  This is the work of God, that you believe in Him who He has sent (John 6:29).