Work out your own salvation

Posted on Feb. 26, 2025, 10:08 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre

Currently, the social media is full of news and stories of dirty fights among the religious leaders of various Church denominations. They do not limit the fight to outside the Church, they go as far as abusing one another right on their various pulpits. Their attitude does not qualify them to be referred to as ‘Christian Leaders’ because their behaviors does not reflect the gentleness, humility and loving attitude of our Lord Jesus Christ. Time has come for them to learn from a good example set by Apostle Paul, (Gal.1:18-2:1-10) where the Bible recorded how Apostle Paul visited the leaders of the church in Jerusalem (Paul referred to them as “Pillars”) to defend the gospel he was preaching among the gentiles. He did not go to them to take instructions but to compare notes. The outcome of the meeting was so productive to the gospel that Paul was happy to report thus, “and when James, Cephas, and John, who seems to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. That we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.” (Gal.2:9) Paul’s authority was recognized by the leaders in Jerusalem and there was no division in the message of the Gospel. The religious leaders should toe the line of the early apostles and stop the show of shame. The fact remains that the leaders are simply spoiling their own names because no one can spoil the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has been highly exalted and given a name which is above every name. (Phil.2:9) Brethren, while the leaders are sorting themselves out, let us learn from the commendation and the word of encouragement of Apostle Paul to the brethren in Philippi. He says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil.2:12) Apostle Paul was commending them for being obedient to the will of God which is essential for the saving of believer’s soul. Obedience that comes as a result of being saved by God’s grace. The Philippians began their obedience to the gospel when Paul was in their presence and they continued when he was not with them. This is because they were appreciative of their salvation which was received by the grace of God through faith and not by the work of any man. (Eph.2:8-9) Let us learn from the humility and obedience of Jesus Christ, and from the behavior of the Philippians, that our salvation must express itself in progressive Christian living and upright character. One cannot claim that he has received the gospel if he has not obeyed the gospel. In other words, the gospel affects the mind and therefore must affect the behavior of individuals. Just like the Philippians, believer’s obedience should be to the will of God and to the Gospel. When one receives the gospel, he receives it into the totality of his being, and it brings peace of mind and hope for the future. It enables one to transfer the burden of one’s soul into God’s hand through prayer instead of being anxious for nothing. Let us remember how far God had to go to send His Son to redeem us from condemnation. We should be motivated by the work of the Cross and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Evangelism Jesus’s name is highly exalted above every name. At the mention of the name of Jesus, every knee should bow to his Lordship. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre