WORK OF SALVATION by Hattie Cummings

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jun 7, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 23.

WORK OF SALVATION.

By Hattie Cummings

"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil. 2:12, 13.

In working out our salvation, God has given us a perfect example in the life of Jesus. When solving a problem in arithmetic, we constantly consult the example which has been worked out for us at the head of the lesson, and learn to apply the principle of the lesson. So, in Christ, the Lord has given us a pattern of perfect salvation, and each day we are to look to Jesus, learning the principles which governed Him while upon earth, and how to apply them to our daily lives.

Christ has told us that without Him we can do nothing, yet here we are instructed to work out our own salvation. But the reason is given in the next verse, which says that God "worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Our working out is wholly dependent upon His working in us, and He does this for every one who yields to His will. 1 Tim. 2:4; John 1:16.

Our Saviour said, "I can of Mine own self do nothing;" "The Father that dwelleth in Me, He doth the works." This was made possible by His constantly saying, "Not My will, but Thine be done." The Father was glorified in the Son.

We are admonished not to be wise in our own conceits, not to be "high-minded, but fear," for by faith ye stand. And this working out of our salvation is to be done with fear and trembling. But this fear is not that which will cause us to be full of anxiety and suspense, as if in bondage to a stern, exacting master. This is the very opposite of the faith which "worketh by love, and purifies the soul;" which recognizes God’s great love, and yields all to His wise and gracious dealings. Our great danger is in rising above this humble walk with God, and not looking to Him wholly for directions.

The fear which we must entertain is the fear of doing evil. It is that which causes us to be very careful lest we grieve His love, and cause Him sorrow. For it is by the fear of the Lord that we depart from iniquity. Prov. 16:6; 3:5-7. We have the promise, "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Ps. 37:5, 6. And in this God will be glorified.

HATTIE CUMMINGS. Port Huron, Mich.