… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage challenge our concept of faith and what it means.
This passage is one of the most significant and possibly most ignored in the entire Bible.
Why is it significant?
It is important because it deals with the core of Christian living.
Why is it ignored?
For the same reason.
Another passage very similar to this one appears in the Book of James. He writes:
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26)
So what is going on here? Are we saved by faith, or are we required to “work out” our salvation with deeds?
To understand Scripture’s intent here, it is helpful to consider the meaning of “faith.”
The Bible defines faith as “…confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). The writer of Hebrews proceeds to give examples from Scripture of people who embody faith. One of the more well-known figures given is Abraham.
When Abraham receives a specific instruction from God, he obeys. In fact, his faith is defined by his obedience. Moreover, it is essential to note that Abraham does not simply intend to obey; he does what God asks when asked.
Two impactful stories illustrate this point.
When Abraham (then called Abram) was ninety-nine years old, God commanded that he and every male with him must be circumcised (Genesis 17:10). This is no small ask! In response, the text says, “On that very day…” Abraham carried out God’s command (Genesis 17:23).
The second story is similar. God instructs Abraham to go to a certain mountain and to sacrifice his only son, Isaac (Genesis 22:2). Abraham doesn’t wait. He doesn’t ask for time to think about it. He doesn’t seem to ever consider any alternatives. Abraham’s faith demands obedience — it demands action. In response to God’s command, Abraham acts “early the next morning” (Genesis 22:3).
In the first case, Abraham is tasked with cutting off part of his body. In the second, he is tasked with cutting off his future hopes for his son. In both cases, he must rely completely on God … in faith.
Which leaves us with the question, “If Abraham hadn’t obeyed God, would he still have had faith?”
What do you think?
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Is this a contradiction? Can we “work out [our] salvation” without being saved by faith?
Let’s put it this way — can any person be born sinless, live a completely sinless life — in action, thought, desire, and motive; and perfectly fulfill God’s law at every point — forever?
Only one person has, and that was Jesus. The rest of us must rely on him for salvation (John 3:16). Between now and the time our salvation is complete, we live by faith. The kind of faith that Abraham lived and that Paul describes in this passage.
Application: Live by faith every day.
Food for Thought: What is the opposite of a faith like Abraham’s, and what would that look like today?
Good question. It would be easy to assume the answer to be that the opposite of faith like Abraham’s would be no faith, but I then have to ask myself, is it that even possible to have “no faith.” I don’t think so, I think God created mankind with an inherent need to actualize faith. He created us to seek Him. It is when we place our faith outside of God that we struggle, essentially using His creation as it was not indented.
And this morning I thought about Jonah. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach repentance to a people that Jonah held resentment and anger toward. Jonah chose to go in the opposite direction. Why?
Jonah 4:2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.
Jonah had faith that God is merciful to those that repent, but he allowed his own personal resentment and anger to control his actions. Such a strange thing to think that he believed God is faithful, and tried to stop Him.
All that to say, I think the opposite of Abraham’s faith is placing faith in ourselves, other people, things we see, scientific process, cause and effect. Grounding ourselves in our own comfort and what we want, the physical world, and not in what God wants, His reality, the spiritual reality.
Thank you, Chris!
I like the reference to Jonah. That is an interesting and unusual illustration of faith.
What is the opposite of a faith like Abraham’s, and what would that look like today?
The Bible, God defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things unseen, Hebrews 11:1.
James 2:1, Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Hebrews 11:6, And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Faith could be described as trust and belief in God’s promises as we confidently live relying in the truths of God’s Word, even when circumstances may seem contrary.
According to the Bible, doubt and fear are the opposite of faith. Doubt undermines our confidence in God’s promises while fear hinders our trust in His sovereignty. To overcome these, we need to study and grow in God’s Word, renew our minds with His truths, and trust in His goodness and faithfulness. Through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and seeking a deeper understanding of God’s character, we can grow in faith and experience the abundant life that God desires for us.
Mathew 6:33, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
These verses clearly indicate that faith is not only necessary but also pleasing to God. Faith encourages believers to have confidence in God and His promises, trusting that He will reward those who seek Him diligently.
Thank you, Ron!
Confidence in God is absolutely needed for faith.