Philippians 2:12-15
12 Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, [i]with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while [j]effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and [k]delight.
14 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [[l]against God] and [m]questioning and doubting [among yourselves],
15 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent anduncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world... (AMPLIFIED BIBLE)
I've been reading straight through the Old Testament for Year 2 of the Promise Bible Study curriculum, focusing on prayer throughout scripture, within the context of the entire Word as it flows from story to prophesy to revelation. One of the things that strikes me is how consistently disobedient Israel is - in the face of miracles, divine intervention, and direct warnings from God, judges and prophets.
And I shake my head. Oh here we go again! From my vantage point, it's easy to wonder, how could they turn away from God AGAIN!? How could they be so whiny, so disrespectful, crying in the desert after God miraculously delivered them from slavery; and in Canaan - a land that God has given to them, delivering their enemies into their hands? God tells them that they have everything they ever need, if only they worship Him alone...yet chapter after chapter has them turning to idols and involving themselves in perverse practices.
It's easy to become complacent under the New Covenant. Christ said his yoke is easy. And indeed it is - at it's core, all one must to do receive salvation is to accept the risen Christ as savior. No more burnt sacrifices, conquering Philistines, all that physically taxing, gory stuff. Christians might think that all we have have to do is say Yes to Jesus and the rest takes care of itself.
But just because we are saved does not mean we have a free pass to sit on the couch until Jesus returns to gently escort us up a golden stairway into the heavens. No, we must WORK OUT our salvation. I like how the Amplified Bible explains what that means: "cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete."
This is not to be confused with the age-old argument about work-based salvation, in other words, it is by deeds that you are saved. Friends, there is no amount of good deeds that can save you. It is only through Christ. But once we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we should be COMPELLED to work, to move, to be that light shining in a perverse world.
And to do it all with JOY! We might say, "well I don't grumble and complain about going to church, just going to my job, just doing the dishes." But do you not recognize that we would not even BE HERE if it weren't for the Breath of God in our lungs? Every single day we wake up is because God has given us that day. Every day we grumble against ourselves, our life, we are no better than the Israelites taking for granted their rescue, their manna, their land of milk and honey. Christ is our rescue, the Word is our manna, and our Promised Land is life itself. Each breath we take is GOD'S! Each moment is of Him, belongs to Him.
We may not suffer the dire consequences of sinning against God like the ancient Israelites - such as being stoned to death. But that does not mean we should not FEAR the Lord. He is the same Lord that was strict with his chosen people; Jesus did not "calm him down." We should tremble at the awesomeness of the Creator and do all we can to assist in His plan, for He has specifically chosen us for the job, and uniquely, sufficiently equipped us for the mission.
Let us not become complacent in the Yoke of Christ. Though it be easy, it is still a yoke - we are still required to work the fields. The Holy Spirit is ALWAYS moving, so if we don't keep up with Him in our yoke, we're going to get dragged along. Don't be deceived by Jesus the Gentle. He tells us that it is entirely possible to face Him at the end of days and have Him tell us He does not know us (Matthew 7:23). This should cause fear and trembling. Continue to work out your salvation - gratefully, graciously - with the mind, body, and spirit God has given you, miraculously, in this day. God is at work through our work.