Fear and Trembling

DEVOTION

PHILIPPIANS

FEAR AND TREMBLING


Phil 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
NIV


It is almost if these words are coming from Jesus himself. Once he was in the presence of humankind and those who walked with him certainly were thought of as ones who obeyed. Now he is absence from humankind in the physical sense but as I am so aware he is always with me in a spiritual sense. However, here in this physical realm, I am on my own, so to speak, with the ability to refuse acknowledgement of his presence. Yet I am still exhorted to continue to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. The rub is, of course, how do I work out my own salvation? Has not that all been done at Calvary? Have I not experienced all that at the altar? What then is the work, and why with fear and trembling? It seems to me after making a commitment to follow Jesus; I have some traveling to do. I must travel from a life of being addicted to sin to one of purity and holiness. Although I have the Lord to travel at my side, in a spiritual sense, I still must make the journey and the road is filled with many pot holes which can cause me to trip and fall plus many detours hiding at every turn endeavoring to get me to turn off course. They are bandits as well who will try their very hardest to steal my joy, my peace, my love, and yes even my salvation. Is it any wonder I should travel this road with fear and trembling? Fear of falling prey to the pot holes, detours and bandits. Trembling at the thought of my destiny, should I stray completely from my following Jesus.