Philippians 2:12, commentary and pictures

The verse commands each person to actively work out his own personal salvation with reverent seriousness, continuing in obedience whether a spiritual leader is present or absent, even more in absence. This is cooperation with God who works within to produce both the willing and the doing of what pleases Him, with human effort joined to divine power and human effort alone availing nothing. It does not mean people can save themselves by their own power or earn salvation, nor that God does all so people are free from obligation and may remain passive, but that salvation by grace through faith requires earnest obedient effort in partnership with Christ. The fear and trembling is reverent fear of God and distrust of self, fearing lest self-will and inherited or cultivated traits resist Christ and depart from His counsels, requiring diligent care, humility, and straining every energy to overcome. The Wherefore ties this to Christ's example of humbling Himself from equality with God to servanthood and death on the cross, so believers take His lowly self-denying mind and are progressively sanctified in lifelong transformation into His likeness.

Wording and Immediate Context

The command is to keep obeying whether a spiritual overseer is present or not, and indeed to obey even more in absence, carrying personal salvation forward with reverent seriousness in cheerful, hopeful service that uses every ability and seeks God's help. That continuing obedience is joined to the assurance that God works within to give both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

The wherefore roots this call in the mind and path of Christ, who being in the form of God and equal with God made Himself of no reputation, took the form of a servant in human likeness, humbled Himself in obedience unto death on the cross, and therefore was highly exalted by God with a name above every name so that every knee in heaven and earth and under the earth will bow at the name of Jesus and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God the Father. That lowly, self-denying mind is the pattern for believers, esteeming others better than self, looking to the interests of others without strife and vainglory, bringing the will into harmony with God because His sacrifice has purchased humanity.

The instruction is clear and of great importance at this time, to be thankfully obeyed and fulfilled with no excuse for walking contrary to God's will, especially by leading brethren. It is to be read and studied together with the whole second chapter of Philippians and also the third chapter.

With reverent seriousness means with reverent earnestness, seriousness, courage, faith, patience and holy boldness, not treating salvation as permission to neglect duty. The work does not earn salvation, but joins the person to Christ in active love that produces good works and determined struggle against sinful habits and selfishness, requiring active doing of one's part in repentance and true faith rather than looking for particular feelings as proof of conversion.

In its immediate context the life produced is without murmurings, disputings, unbelief and fault-finding, blameless and harmless as sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, shining as lights in the world while holding forth the word of life. That obedience continues while God works the willing and the doing, with grace working in the converted who follow in newness, gather with Christ, hunger after righteousness, grow toward His likeness, help one another keep courage, and fix their eyes on Jesus, while those with great light, privileges and encouragement must beware of making crooked paths and stand on the sure Word of God.

The verse is encouragement joined to assurance, not a reason to dwell on personal weakness or defects of character nor to give up hope when the enemy seeks to discourage and dishearten right effort, but a call to press into the light by diligent right effort. Salvation is not carried forward without earnest, interested effort in active cooperation rather than passivity, by trusting that God is present and His promise holds whether His presence is felt or not, with Christ formed within as hope.

Working out salvation was an opportunity given to ancient Israel as well as to those who heard Christ in human form, for Christ was their Redeemer too and Old Testament instruction was as truly His word as New Testament instruction.

Divine Human Cooperation

The command is to keep obeying whether a spiritual leader is present or absent, and to live out personal salvation with reverence and seriousness, because God works inside believers to create both the desire and the action that pleases Him, and human effort joined to that inner work is essential while human effort alone accomplishes nothing. This obedience follows Christ's humility and is to be free from murmuring and disputing, blameless and harmless among a crooked and perverse people, shining as lights holding out the word of life, growing into His likeness with eyes fixed on Jesus and helping one another keep courage. Living it out means depending on God rather than on one another, in true partnership with Him.

Salvation requires strenuous active human effort united with divine power in co-partnership and joint operation, depending wholly on grace every moment, neither acting independently of God nor remaining passive and indolent, with infinite wisdom and power on one side and weakness and helplessness on the other. No one succeeds without the aid of the Holy Spirit, being kept by God's power through faith and unable to keep self for a moment, yet each must use every ability, humbly resist the enemy's confusion, overcome the tempter, subdue natural passions and propensities out of harmony with right principle, give willing obedience to God's will and way, work in Christ's lines, submit to God's training, and hold fast what is gained through Christ until character develops after the divine plan unto completeness in Christ. This blending of human and divine strength binds willing and doing together in harmonious unity that brings glory to God, with grace and sufficiency abundantly provided, requiring willing renunciation of sinful practices, hearty obedience to His laws, felt dependence, faith in Christ as personal Saviour, and expectation of efficiency only by keeping the Lord ever before the mind.

Two opposite errors are excluded: that a person has a work wholly independent of God, and that a person is free from all obligation because God does all the willing and doing, for the text does not mean people can save themselves by their own power but calls for daily precious victories over temptation by heeding God's Word, seeking His counsel daily, and exercising faith in Christ. Salvation is wholly dependent on Jesus yet requires a work by the one being saved, which is cooperation with God working His power and grace into the heart to will and do His good pleasure, involving severe inner conflict and firm decision to follow God's will and way.

The human will must freely cooperate and cannot be forced, so conviction, grace, light, methods, agencies and saving influences are ineffective without consent to be drawn. A person must choose, place the will on the side of right, incline will and way to God's will, rouse energies, make stern resolve, renounce the world, turn from Satan to Christ, respond to light, obey, and be educated in mind and affections to distinguish truth from error, beginning a moral revival in thoughts, words and actions. Persistent refusal grieves away the Holy Spirit, and even ten times the light would be useless if refused, for more light alone cannot save one who persists in disobedience.

Character cultivation is like farming where harvest matches energy spent: the farmer prepares ground and plants seed at the right time and in the right way while God gives life and sends sunshine and showers to spring it up first the blade then the ear then the full corn. Without the human part there is no harvest though sun and rain fall, and without the divine part the planted seed would never spring up and grow, so as the assigned human part in heart cultivation is acted God surely cooperates by working will and action for His good pleasure, giving grace and help in answer to asking and receiving. This is harmonious action between God and man as laborers together, a co-partnership and divine relation between the Son of God and the repentant sinner forming fruits of righteousness in the heart.

People cannot save themselves and can do nothing without Christ, having no power to move one step toward Him unless drawn by the Spirit, yet God does nothing in restoration without human cooperation and will not do for them what they can do for themselves. Without divine working none could do any good thing, not even repent or love God with all heart, soul, strength and mind and love neighbor as self, for God supplies the efficiency, continually drawing to repentance so they need only submit to be drawn and melted in penitence. The part required of man is immeasurably small yet needed to make the work a success, commanding use of will, endeavor and facilities God has given, which binds men to one another and to God, while depending wholly on grace rather than own merits without forced will or removed responsibility.

The fact that man can please God calls for persevering intense effort proportionate to salvation's value as laborers together with God, His husbandry and building, walking with God as Enoch did rather than resting in mere human companionship, walking humbly, learning from Jesus who was tempted in all points yet without sin and overcame every besetment, with God drawing man close to teach how Christ overcame in humanity and providing a way of escape in every temptation. God's grace and the Spirit's intensified influence awaken will and enable action but do not replace effort and cannot make one a Christian fit for heaven without cooperation, for the Holy Spirit brings truths and rich promises of redemption vividly to mind lest neglected obedience let them be forgotten, while Satan counteracts and each daily fits self for weal or woe with a crown to win and hell to shun. Without a clear practical view of dependence people struggle ineffectively, while out of acknowledged weakness and inability apart from Christ, with heart opened to the Spirit and light followed, they may become strong through ever-increasing faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God and He is not pleased when those He created remain sinners unfruitful for their created purpose.

Christ who commands obedience as Lawgiver is Himself the great Worker and efficient power in sanctification, working out salvation with people as they cooperate, so believers are not alone but have a share in His work. This means trusting wholly in God and Christ's love and interest, refusing discouragement, lifting the head, letting the heart break with longing for the living God, walking obediently and lawfully with promise of strength and protection as front guard and rearward. God gives a willing mind to those decidedly on His side, appoints each a place, enables childlike trust like a child trusts an earthly parent, and blesses work done freely as to the Lord cheerfully and hopefully with success.

The cooperation makes the person God's husbandry and building formed by the great Architect into a holy temple, yoked in union with Christ and the Holy Spirit as great First Cause and source of all power, grace and efficiency, working out in life what God works within rather than living to please self. The heart cultivated by the Spirit bears fruit unto righteousness, shown in walking as Christ walked in patience, kindness, gentleness, meekness and lowliness, lifting His burdens and yearning for souls, leading at last to entering the joy of the Lord. Those who enter heartily into this cooperation place themselves in direct line with light, strength, power and excellence, a privilege in which none among the redeemed will have failed to cooperate, and reverent fear safeguards against weaving self-importance into righteousness as if by own merit.

The effort calls for earnest voluntary cooperation with surrendered will, giving up self, inherited tendencies, formed habits and evil desires, exerting God-given powers while God gives desire and ability, laying aside self-sufficiency, desire to dictate, pride and selfishness, and laboring in soul-saving with hope. The repentant sinner accepts blessing by faith, acts his part in faith accepting mercy and grace Christ provides, resists temptation drawing needed power from God, obeys every word and submits to Christ's will, placed on vantage-ground with all intellect, opportunity, privilege, life, blessings, talents and resources from God, with enlargement of power proportionate to desire to do His will and forfeiture by selfish misuse. God brings infinite wisdom, goodness, compassion and power to frail, erring, weak, sinful, helpless, poor and dependent creatures in co-partnership as a divine relation, and success depends on this union.

Human beings are responsible moral agents who must do their God-appointed part in humble meekness while submitting to divine power, because God never fails to do His part, and learning this becoming cooperation with reverent carefulness is what constitutes true education. This includes cooperating with Christ in dealing with minds and revealing Christ therein, living partnership on sure unfailing lines by becoming one with Him as Light of the world and laying aside selfish motives, coming into right place with brokenness of spirit, right character, pure heart and heart melted by Christ's love, lifting Jesus up and laboring for those around and for the sick and suffering. Salvation is not license for others to impose will or shape a worker's character, since such interference can disrupt reliance on God and the Holy Spirit, and Christ will work with man but never without man's cooperation, joining divine strength to human effort with a hold from above Satan cannot resist when reconversion and grace are in the heart.

One who has given self wholly to the Lord cooperates while God molds him as a vessel unto honor according to His purpose, producing willing and doing, with man pliable, desiring above all to follow whithersoever He leads rather than inclination, trusting guidance and actively carrying forward salvation with reverent fear. God cannot work through those who make no effort, and spiritual weakness shows failure to do one's part, requiring submission to Christ in everything and bringing will into harmony with His. This is man cooperating with what God works within by the Holy Spirit, surrendering will, living out what God has worked in so heart purpose and life practice harmonize, proving genuine faith by fruits in good works, renouncing every sin, progressing in doing Christ's works, and retaining justification only by continual surrender and obedience, for without man's work the divine agencies' work is in vain and God desires apt discriminating agents uplifted, refined, ennobled and sanctified rather than hasty fitful performance.

The work calls the human will into connection with God's will, requiring earnest use of mind and abilities to seek truth in Jesus, neither passive credulity nor self-reliant effort, and depending far less on human agencies and much more on the Infinite to prepare a people to stand in the day of God. Efficiency to believe comes from God to the heart through the Spirit changing the sinner to oneness with Christ in spirit and purpose, hungering after righteousness and becoming like Jesus with Christ's lowly mind, esteeming others better than self without strife, vainglory, murmurings or disputings, resulting in blameless harmless life shining as lights holding forth the word of life. It is illustrated by Daniel and companions seeking all-sided education to honor God, perfecting character, keeping clear intellect amid false religion, making God's will supreme law, practicing temperance avoiding the king's luxuries, wine and stimulating drink to preserve health for highest service, and keeping from idols, while God works willing and doing, and by parents who in trustful dependence awake to train children aright, carefully and prayerfully educating them while working out own and children's salvation, with unreserved surrender valuing opportunities to grow.

Individual Personal Responsibility

No one else can work out personal salvation in another's place, so each person must take up the responsibility for himself with continual vigilance, prayer, obedience to every requirement, humility and reverent care rather than pride or boasting, guarding against rash action and an unconverted heart that would bring reproach on the truth by drawing near to God. Each is to act in his own capacity according to ability given him, to look to God for himself and lean upon God and not upon man, to trade with conscientious fidelity upon his own God-given talents while God works within to will and to do of His good pleasure, gaining his own individual experience under God's supervision unto full individual measure. No one is to develop another's salvation, become a transcript of another's mind, pattern character after any man, or fashion another mind after his own mind and teach him to voice his sentiments, whatever his experience or position. Depending on a minister or trusted person for instruction is leaning upon man and making flesh his arm, consenting to wear Saul's armor instead of working in the armor God has provided, which brings utter failure and harms human beings, for no one can grow to full stature for another and each will have rejoicing in himself and not in another. Each person acts as a free and responsible agent in deciding destiny, and whatever course others pursue each is individually to work out his own salvation with reverent fear, for God works upon human minds and hearts of great value in His sight for His own name's glory if they allow Him to work.

Securing eternal life is an individual work requiring each person to receive truth, repent, believe, obey and surrender to God, with individual experience and accountability that no one can perform for another while God enables willing and acting according to His good pleasure. It demands personal overcoming, perfecting Christian character, refusing to be influenced in the wrong direction by anyone else, removing defects from moral character, washing robes in the blood of the Lamb, and trusting in Christ who opened the way by His own death for the great salvation provided. Noble character cannot be inherited, bought, or gained by fraud but must be built through one's own patient effort in faith on Christ's merits, preparing for future immortal life rather than merely present enjoyment, and those who make it an individual work will remain steadfast in faith. This requires active response rather than passivity, making use of provided grace so God cooperates and works in and through to will and do what pleases Him, with decided surrender and daily conversion under the Holy Spirit's guidance, taking responsibility for one's own character instead of answering for others' defects and living wherever one is as an example of righteousness.

The command means taking heed to self instead of measuring ministering brethren, numbering Israel, reading the heart, finding fault, judging and condemning, excusing personal faults by pointing to others' sins, or putting an occasion of stumbling in a brother's way, a carefulness belonging especially to those living amid the perils of the last days. It calls for diligently watching one's own life, removing evil, becoming new in Christ, overcoming every fault, rising in Christ's strength with decisive change from a self-chosen course, and cooperating with God who shapes willing and doing so that man becomes a laborer together with God by removing every stumbling block from his own way and his brother's way, since neglect leaves his own soul under condemnation. Self-examination in the light of God's Word should lead to compassion for others in the same struggle and to words that strengthen rather than discourage, guarding words and actions, keeping lips from strife and careless speech that sows evil, speaking only character-building words that could be repeated before Christ, seeking cleansing from sin, and working and praying as guided to prosper the church, a duty pressing on all members and especially physicians and ministers lest mistakes lead others astray.

Each has an appointed spiritual work that no one else can do and that even liberal offerings by others cannot replace, assigned by the Lord to be done personally and perseveringly with reverent fear. Pure religion is not merely emotion or feeling but a guiding principle woven into ordinary duties, choices and business, kept alive by making God the highest object of thought through meditation and prayer, while neglect brings decline, carelessness and sloth. Doing that work means earnestly reaching after God, asking what He wants done, diligently searching the heart to discover and remove what prevents abiding fruit, cheerfully bearing Christ's cross instead of being choked by cares and riches and love of the world, making full surrender, letting faith be sustained by works since faith without works is dead and only doers are justified, and faithfully carrying entrusted duties looking to God for wisdom, counsel and continual grace to avoid mistakes. As a family each one must be sanctified through truth by seeing the work to be done and taking hold without delay so influence may be saving, and ministers cannot work it out for members by constantly hovering over them, for members should exercise spiritual strength and advance rather than remain weak and dependent.

Responsibility continues day by day, including reasoning from cause to effect, remembering one is the Lord's property, recognizing the body belongs to God, and uniting with Him to keep body clean, pure, healthy and the whole being sanctified and devoted to Him, manifesting respect for the Creator and for the gift in Jesus Christ, which brings daily increase of faith and grace. It calls for reverent fear lest mistakes be made in caring for the body, which men are obligated before God to keep in healthiest condition possible, taking deliberate action to resist appetite and follow God's will. God will not work a miracle to prevent the result of mistreating bodily organs nor raise the sick for His glory unless they work together by doing what they can, using reason and judgment rather than being controlled by feelings and anxiety for self, restricting diet and arousing self-control instead of relying on medicines or divine power alone.

Each person has a soul to save or lose and is working out his own destiny during a short probation bought by Christ's life, with little time to prepare for eternity, so he must press against darkness, take hold of God's mighty arm, overcome and remain faithful to win the crown, see the King in beauty, and not have lived in vain, refusing to shun truth to preserve earthly life since that forfeits eternal life. Lifetime even of seventy years is a brief proving period for preparing for eternity and seeking eternal life by overcoming low sinful nature and habits retarding growth and being conformed to Christ's image daily with no moment to squander, since lifework may close at any time, its urgency seen against the life that measures with the life of God and the earnestness needed to secure clear title to the home in the earth made new. The work begins with personal purification from moral defilement through Christ's grace by thorough repentance, faith, vigilant watchfulness, unceasing prayer and diligent searching of Scriptures, actively securing as it were a life insurance policy for the everlasting kingdom by being doers of the Word, understanding great privileges in view of Christ's soon coming, exercising ever-increasing faith with confidence of eternal life, manifesting true godliness and adding grace to grace until victorious over every sin. God holds each responsible for all he might have been if he had improved talents, and judgment measures what he ought to have been but was not and what he might have done but did not because he did not use powers, influence, acquisitions and entrusted property to glorify God, holding them on God's altar to return to Him, so that for all knowledge that might have been gained but was not there will be eternal loss even if the soul itself is not lost.

Each must stand in individual responsibility before God and provide for future eternal good with wisdom from God instead of magnifying any office to bind another's conscience, for no president, elder, deacon or lay member is given power to control another's conscience or talents, and trust is to rest on God rather than human leaders whose judgment and experience may fail. God deals with men as individuals and gives to every one his work, so no man is competent to dictate to others and point out duty, but all are to be taught of God, and through Christ's grace every soul must work out his own righteousness by living connection with Father and Son, which alone is genuine experience of value. Only when consecrated and having secured his own salvation can one provide for others and give right instruction, with unity in diversity as branches of the true Vine, awakening to personal responsibility, linking with God to carry out His will, marking signals for advance and refusing to lag, each finding place through willing self-denying self-sacrificing work in harmonious forward action that elevates and ennobles, putting principles into practice in the household rather than turning them into criticism or speculation while the whole church seeks unity and uses every power to fulfill God's purpose.

Those persisting in wrongdoing after repeated reform efforts must be left to work out salvation with reverent fear, for this does not make them fit to be entrusted with others' souls. Dealing with minds and souls is serious work to be undertaken with fear and trembling, since souls were redeemed at infinite cost by God's Son, requiring ministers, teachers and parents to act with self-control, patience and careful use of authority, lest impatience or carelessness damage a soul, hinder its salvation, harm influence and put it at risk of being lost to Christ. Ministers' personal cleansing from moral defilement through Christ's grace belongs to this same working out of destiny, under accountability for talents, knowledge, influence, property and powers that could have glorified God and judgment for what was failed to become or do through neglect.

Meaning of Fear and Trembling

To work out salvation with fear and trembling is to fear making a mistake and leading others by a wrong example, exercising diligent care not to err and showing in all work the thorough fidelity God approves, with no sham work, since genuine work bears His stamp while spurious work is worthless. Such thorough faithfulness in school makes education doubly valuable for the afterlife, joined to God working within to give both the willing and the doing of His good pleasure. This reverent seriousness requires words and actions to agree as evidence of consecration and growth in holiness, for speech revealing jealousy, selfishness or other inward corruption dishonors God and hinders His work. It is mindful that personal influence can lead others astray, so grace calls for human response in cooperation with God toward perfected Christian character.

The fear is fear lest in word or deed the Christian name be misrepresented, calling for a cheerful but not trifling course, with no jesting or joking, no irreverence, no selfishness, and nothing that would make Jesus ashamed to own the person as His follower. It refuses to spend time and strength in murmuring, unbelief, faultfinding, dwelling on hardships or complaining against God, and instead encourages confidence in Him, speaks kindly of Him, honors Him for giving His Son for everlasting life, and faithfully and cheerfully performs even the smallest duties and home duties in the fear and love of God. It commits the keeping of the soul to Him and leaves the ordering of life in His hands, studying the life Christ lived in perfection even in simplest duties, looking to Jesus for help to do daily duties with grace and dignity as one seeking a crown of immortal life. It lives out profession so as to show Christ's word true and that He can keep human beings from sin, obeying His commandments in practical godliness and working in perfect unity without discord as in the wilderness tabernacle.

The fear is not that God will fail, but that self-will and inherited or cultivated traits will resist Christ's will and hinder His purpose, so believers must not rely on own strength or try to live apart from His abiding presence. It is fear lest selfish threads and inherited and cultivated tendencies be woven into character and lest wrong timber be chosen for character building, since God alone can supply solid timber, requiring coming just as one is without self-righteousness, self-justification, claimed merit or pride in knowledge, and putting on the wedding garment Christ prepared. It is fear lest natural temperament spoil Christ's plan as the Masterbuilder, laboring together with God who works within to will and do His good pleasure until character is pronounced perfect. It therefore means daily distrust of human effort and wisdom, caution about careless speech, impulse, pride, love of the world and fleshly desire shutting out grace, surrender of will and readiness to cooperate, with diligent searching of heart not to grieve the Holy Spirit lest selfishness be woven into the work.

The fear is the fear of God before the person and the trembling lest he depart from God's counsels and expressed will and lose heaven, which fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Keeping in view the haven of bliss and eternal weight of glory and fearing lest a promise being left he come short of it, he cannot afford to lose it, so he strains every energy, taxes abilities to the utmost and puts to the stretch every spiritual nerve and muscle to be a successful overcomer and obtain eternal life and a crown. This human work does not stand alone, for God works in him both to will and to do of His good pleasure and the two powers cooperate, man unable to accomplish it without divine power but victorious with both combined, producing a change that invites the world to investigate. God does not send perplexing trials because He delights to harass His children but to arouse His chosen to the imperative necessities of their situation, teaching them in Christ's school to come to Jesus, trust Him, humble themselves, earnestly seek grace, manifest no natural traits under trial, never become discouraged, and find peace and rest in His love through self-sacrifice without shrinking.

Working out salvation with fear and trembling means standing before the Lord in fear lest His name be dishonored, with no self-confidence but a trembling sense of responsibility, moving forward in faith and trust, doing rational thinking in every experience while trusting God for success, and refusing idleness to work with all energies given, for God works to will and do of His good pleasure and such a faithful man He can trust. It means living humbly, seeking divine help, examining self, watching in prayer, and obeying and practicing the word rather than merely hearing it, warned by Peter's self-confidence to recognize defects and need of Christ's power and grace lest straight paths not be made for the feet. It means humbling in contrition, confessing sins and receiving forgiveness as one greatly beloved and honored who yet claims no sinlessness but confesses sin, iniquity, wickedness and rebellion, chastens self, mourns, fasts and prays for understanding, trembling in the divine presence until touched, strengthened and given peace, for the humbled man God honors understands true greatness while exalted position is nothing and righteousness and truth give honor, and refusal to confess ruins the soul. It means doing thorough work in confession after plain testimony, acting the part of a man, whereupon blessing comes, glory is revealed, angels are present, humiliation fills every heart and sincere confessions are made by all, keeping actions, words and thoughts right with clean mouth, sanctified tongue and heart, no defiling words, guile, peevishness or taking up rumor and reproach against a brother, so as to have clean hands and pure heart fit to stand in the hill of the Lord.

Fear and trembling grows from learning what man is in God's sight, for experimental knowledge of God as revealed in His Word and in the life and character of Jesus Christ exposes imperfection and ignorance of Christ, and as that knowledge grows fear and trembling grows, since human talent, intellect and conjecture cannot by searching find out God and all man needs to know has been revealed in the Son the great Teacher. It is to feel own weakness, surrender will and ways to God's will and ways, seek living experience in truth and be sanctified daily with experimental knowledge of true devotion, therefore realizing need for competent intelligent counselors and fellow workers rather than taking large responsibilities alone unwisely. It is working with fear lest self-directed effort spoil God's pattern, depending on Him rather than personal ability, which makes a person teachable and useful so the life expresses Christ's life. It is cultivating traits fitting for angels' society by working with the Spirit in distrust of self, for strength lies in conscious weakness, crying to God, casting away confidence in human power and clinging to Jesus as Moses sought God's presence to go with them and as Jacob refused to let go without blessing. It is moving in faith with eye fixed steadfastly on Jesus though the future is hidden as mist, praying without ceasing with every breath a prayer, doing nothing to throw another into temptation nor going under temptation, relying on the religion of Jesus Christ through grace for firmness and solidity, because God is the living God with no variableness or shadow of turning.

The call bears especially on leaders and ministers, who are to carry responsibility for others' salvation with earnestness, humility and prayerful watchfulness, looking to the Lord for wisdom and continually asking for grace. They must carefully guard against self becoming mixed with the work and neglecting what requires prayerful attention, for even one departure from sanctified principles gives Satan advantage and can lead farther from right and truth. Their work includes personal labor beyond preaching, visiting families, praying with them and opening Scriptures to them after Jesus' example in daily practice. Those who would reach higher classes must work with fear lest they fail, ever remembering danger of becoming narrow and selfish and not fully representing the elevating character of truth, being themselves living epistles known and read of all men, placing trust in God rather than in human leaders who may fail.

The same reverent care governs every word in worship and preaching, which must not distract from Jesus Christ and His saving work, making the saving of souls the personal work of followers and the central burden of preachers. It calls for reverence before God in remembering personal sins and how long He has borne neglect of great salvation, walking humbly and seriously before Him. It governs humble service in sacred places mindful that actions may misrepresent an institution serving truth, for the work is not ordinary worldly business but is done where God's presence makes the place sacred and examines every action. It governs sanitarium work with serious humility rather than self-confidence, counting the cost, using strict economy, avoiding large investments on borrowed money and refusing to pile up debt at the start, considering whether the enterprise can be carried forward acceptably in the fear and love of God, since careless overconfident borrowing brings trouble to the cause. It also looks forward to the reward of the faithful.

Working out salvation with fear and trembling includes letting Jesus purify selfish motives, refusing to let vain ambition and desire to please and glorify self come before spiritual interests or hinder following Christ. It brings reason, conscience and memory under His control while cooperating with Christ so as not to lose given opportunities, God working within both to will and to do what pleases Him. It takes care not to lose opportunities by actively resisting Satan's deceptions with patience and faith under trial, turning in humility from self-directed ways toward Christlike purposes, purity, meekness and grace while using powers for God. It fears lest failure grieve the Spirit, continuing in Christ's love, wearing His yoke and learning His meekness and lowliness, combining human effort with God's working, so that when the agent realizes he is a laborer together with God and relies on the Lord to do what he cannot do, the work goes forward successfully.

Fear and trembling means fearing failure to perfect Christian character while striving to follow in Christ's footsteps with His life and teachings ever in view, proving purity of principles by works in a well-ordered life and godly conversation that proves profession genuine and wins heaven. This earnest pursuit develops character by Christ's example, shown in works, well-ordered lives and godly conduct, not apart from God, for He works in believers to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Christ Example and Sanctification

Believers are to possess the lowly, self-denying mind that was in Christ Jesus and to carry out salvation in continued obedience whether overseen or absent, with reverent seriousness. The wherefore joins this call to His example, who being in the form of God and equal with God made Himself of no reputation, took the form of a servant in human likeness, humbled Himself in obedience unto death on the cross, and was therefore highly exalted with a name above every name so that every knee in heaven and earth and under the earth will bow and every tongue confess Him Lord to the Father's glory. This is possible because God works within to produce both the willing and the doing of what pleases Him, giving desire and ability rather than leaving obedience independent of Him. It means depending far less on human agencies and much more on the Infinite to prepare a people to stand in the day of God, bringing wills into harmony with His since His sacrifice purchased humanity. It requires esteeming others better than self and looking to their interests without strife, vainglory, murmuring or disputing, learning His meekness, bearing His yoke, walking His humble path, and revealing His attributes in blameless lives that shine as lights and hold forth the word of life.

This obedient life is sanctification, truth received in the heart and practiced in the life, producing transformation and fitness of character for duty. It is shown in doing all things without complaining and disputing so as to be blameless and harmless as sons of God without rebuke amid a crooked and perverse people, shining as lights while holding out the word of life. It includes practical exhibition of transforming power by doing to others as one would be done by, keeping the commandments as proof of genuine religion, serving without self-interest in Christ's humility, helping one another keep courage, and fixing eyes on Jesus to grow into His likeness. It also requires examining and confessing defects, repenting, confessing wrongs to the injured, taking heed to doctrine, and standing on the sure Word rather than making crooked paths, especially by those with great light and privilege who are an example to others.

Sanctification is progressive and lifelong, not received by belief without further effort, and continues by daily work throughout life. Though believers still feel sin's promptings, they must continually resist and wage constant war against sin, relying on Christ's help as human weakness is joined to divine strength through faith and the indwelling Spirit. The return from the fall costs much and is gained only by hard fighting inch by inch, hour by hour, with toil, time, perseverance, patience and sacrifice after purpose is formed and work begun. A hasty unguarded act can place a person under evil power in a moment, while breaking fetters and attaining holier life takes more than a moment, so firm resistance is necessary lest acting from impulse and being off guard lead to conquest by numberless temptations, and to close life with the work undone is eternal loss.

The way to carry it out is by constantly adding grace to grace as specified in First Peter and Second Peter chapter one, adding virtue, knowledge, temperance or self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity or love to faith. As man works on the plan of addition, God works on the plan of multiplication, having given all things pertaining to life and godliness with great promises, multiplying grace and peace to the faithful, hearing the contrite, and gladly granting blessings needed against besetting evils. Those who do so keep eyes fixed on Jesus and put faith into obedient action, becoming more complete in Him day by day and not falling but entering the everlasting kingdom. Neglect leaves a person blind, unable to see afar off, forgetful of cleansing from old sins, failing to purify the soul daily by prayer and watchfulness, making a new record of sin and drifting with worldliness.

Working out salvation means coming to the Saviour, renouncing own ways and works, and cooperating with God who works willing and doing, trusting Christ's merits and the power of His atoning sacrifice rather than self. Jesus giving His life is the covenant pledge that whoever comes receives imputed righteousness, and because He is a complete Saviour who offered a complete sacrifice, this union brings full sanctification, with believers standing uncondemned through His perfect obedience joined with repentance and growing holiness. It is done day by day by talking with God, pressing to know Him, entering His presence through Jesus' blood, laying hold on hope, binding the soul to the Mediator, sharing the divine nature, hiding life with Christ in God and being led by His Spirit, which gives genuine faith and makes believers workers together with God ever nearer Him. It requires using means with heart, soul and might while doing all in and through Jesus, bringing truth as it is in Jesus into heart, life, home and church through channels He provides for grace to flow, resisting sin, revealing Christ, and keeping the heart open so His righteousness shines in and is reflected out.

This is made possible because Christ gave His life, placing fallen nature on vantage ground so all may become wise virgins and partakers of the divine nature, complete in Christ, perfect without spot and blameless, rising in moral value with God. He endured humiliation, shame and contempt to purchase the soul with precious blood and make probation possible, so that through His poverty the poor may become rich and obtain a place with the saints in light. Probation is therefore time granted for trial of character, with days, months and years added to give opportunity to secure salvation, life being a holy trust God alone enables to keep and use to His glory. In that time every entrusted faculty is to be improved, the body kept as His temple undefiled from tobacco, wine, liquor and selfish gratification, every power used for His glory in pure holy living up to His standard, restoring His moral image, escaping lust's corruption, promoting others' good, building Christ's kingdom and manifesting God's glory.

Becoming reconciled means willingly being saved in God's appointed way and humbly carrying through personal salvation with reverent fear now while His Spirit strives, for now is the hour of probation, now is the day of salvation, now is God's time while it may still be done. Time and probation are a precious gift requiring reconversion, giving self to the Spirit's molding, and having hard, stony, unsympathetic, selfish hearts softened and subdued by grace. It means not merely professing to keep the law but doing it, with every phase of life representing Christ's life, lest the title to the inheritance be lost and the rejection be heard. Those who show the spirit of truth are given increased light for this work, done without boasting, humbly and reverently yet in the Spirit's power to reveal principles of true higher education.

The verse means entering the sanctuary above and uniting and cooperating with Christ while He stands before the Father as Advocate and Intercessor in the great Day of Atonement. It is laying aside garments of self-righteousness and daily humbling before God, confessing individual sins, seeking pardon for transgressions, consecrating anew to labor together with Jesus as both privilege and summons, and preparing the soul to reflect the divine image. This must be done now in this day of grace with reverent seriousness, because the record of life is sealed to be opened when judgment sits and books are opened. Unless it is done the person will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and pronounced wanting.

Character Growth and Obedience

Working out salvation includes laboring for a pure heart and cleansing the soul as God's temple so that truth can dwell within. This requires intelligently removing harmful indulgences that damage the brain and digestive organs and place health in a condition that wars against the soul's highest interests. It especially means controlling appetite and passion and bringing habits into conformity to the will of God. Strict temperance is required, avoiding luxuries and stimulating drink, and keeping the body as healthy as possible for highest service. This thorough purifying work closes the soul earthward and opens it heavenward, renewing the mind by Bible principles and sweeping away questionable principles and practices.

The joint work demands most strenuous efforts to overcome the tempter and subdue natural passions and propensities not in harmony with correct principles. It requires giving willing obedience to the will and way of God, working in Christ's lines, and submitting to God's training so character develops in conformity to the divine plan. This striving to overcome temptation is done in wholly dependent trust, unable to keep self for one moment, kept by God's power through faith while depending wholly on the Holy Spirit unto completeness in Christ. It includes overcoming sinful habits and wrong traits, abandoning besetting sins, refusing to cherish jealousy or evil surmising, hating whatever separates from God, and allowing Christ to transform the character. Success depends wholly on God working within to will and to do, with Christ's divinity giving strength to overcome evil tendencies and desires.

The work forbids passive indolence and calls for active, serious cooperation in which believers struggle, exercise abilities, strain every faculty, and persevere in the Christian battle. Victory over temptation and Christian integrity must be pursued and maintained with firm purpose, overcoming self, temper, and inclinations and bringing the will into conformity with God's will. Man must fight a battle and gain a victory in harmony with God working in the heart to will and do His good pleasure, for only by this cooperation can sinners overcome as Christ overcame. By divine power uniting with human effort, character is wrought upon point by point each day until perfected as a holy temple for God, built with pure, noble deeds. Each must win his way by struggle and effort to elevation of character and noble attainments, opening the heart's door to let the Saviour in and then teaching and revealing God's rich promises in the life.

Obedience to God's holy authority belongs to this work, with God's law as the standard of perfection. People must examine themselves by God's word, correct the defects it reveals, and strive to obey, meekly and carefully following light given even when it goes against personal wishes and requires self-denial. This means ceasing to trust in man and making God the efficiency, seeking wisdom from God in earnest prayer, learning the Lord's way as no human voice can teach, and walking carefully before God in dependence on Christ the church's Head. It means hating the sins that wounded Jesus, seeing that transgression of the law cost the blood of the Son of the infinite God, preserving a contrite heart, and refusing to presume on mercy while neglecting calling and election. Those who name His name must give God all there is of them, returning with all the heart without rest, delay, self-deception, or conferring with self, dealing practically with self in deep humility, cherishing no self-exaltation, vanity, or evil thought and speech.

Diligent character building in Christ's likeness is required, yet ability comes from God so there is no cause to boast. Divine power and human effort cooperate in reshaping character to match Christ's perfect example, turning against the world's sinful current, advancing by faith, and preparing to stand in the day of the Lord fitted for God's kingdom. This thorough transformation comes through faith working through love and purifying the soul, while God works within both to will and to do what pleases Him. It is shown in striving to form a complete Christian character by following Christ's example, life, and teaching, with pure principles, well-ordered life, and godly conduct proving profession genuine. It includes bringing the will into constant conformity to God's will, resisting corrupting influences, seeking righteousness, and allowing the fruits of the Spirit to grow so Christ's character is revealed in word and deed.

Working out salvation means shaping character by tearing out rotten, corrupt traits and putting in solid, Christlike ones, revealing Christ in life and deportment. Character is chosen by laying hold of the Saviour, receiving His merits by faith, and perfecting a character like His, while those who refuse Christ's character lose heaven. It requires putting away every besetting sin through sustained effort, using powers fully, willingly accepting Christ's freely offered grace, and learning from Christ. Christ's presence in thought, mind, and heart gives purpose to lay aside sin and be filled with God's fullness and love. A crooked character must be made straight before life ends, with childhood and youth especially important for forming habits God can approve, and for one disqualified by moral defilement this may require leaving the ministry for humble manual labor and physical exercise to subdue animal passions until perfected character is proved in a lowly place.

The effort includes a faith that works through love and sanctifies the soul, resisting selfishness and the corruption of worldly desires. Faith that joins a person to Christ stirs the soul to activity and to faithful laboring for others, springing into the labor of love. Good works and busy activities do not by themselves secure or insure salvation, and salvation is not earned through confidence in merits, knowledge, or judgment. Yet genuine faith never remains idle but always works, producing active love, good works, honesty, faithfulness, and determined struggle to overcome sinful habits and selfishness. In building character every entrusted ability is to be used for His glory and shared rather than hidden.

Carrying out God's will, which is sanctification, means pressing upward and heavenward with every faculty kept healthy and every God-given power stretched to love God fully and love neighbor. No one can do this alone, for without God's working no good thing can be done and not even repentance is possible without the Holy Spirit working on the heart. The human part is to respond to the Holy Spirit, not waiting until repentance is felt before coming to Jesus but submitting to being drawn until the heart melts in penitence. Breaking through the powers of darkness requires struggle in which the Spirit works, yet man is not passive and cannot be saved in indolence but must strain every muscle and exercise every faculty in the struggle for immortality while God supplies the efficiency. This requires renouncing sin, obeying God, receiving grace, putting away pride, impatience, envy, evil thoughts, and jealousy, and depending on Christ rather than merits, strength, or ecstatic feelings, since worldly cares and sin cloud discernment and weaken confidence.

Cooperating in continuous daily transformation from unholiness to holiness means wholehearted, undivided service and daily self-surrender, learning God's word and obeying its precepts. God works with the believer day by day to perfect a character ready to stand in the final test, displaying before people and angels what the gospel can do for fallen beings. It requires weeding out every lame principle, placing self under God's discipline, submitting to painful pruning to bear fruit to His glory, and conforming daily life to the Saviour's earthly pattern. By this discipline one becomes a perfected Christian worker and partaker of the divine nature, escaping the corruption in the world through lust. As long as people are in this world they are on test and trial, accountable both for working out their own salvation and for their influence for good or evil on others, with opportunity not to be missed through worldly excitement, pleasure, and diversion before the Lord comes with power.

Working out salvation requires more than knowing theory, for truth believed must be lived and practiced. The story of Calvary, wrought at infinite cost through Jesus' love, is to be meditated on, valued, and acted upon, with the Father accepting every sinner who accepts this salvation won when the innocent Sinless One suffered the penalty of the guilty in body and heart. It is done by obeying light given, doing the work at hand, blessing others, and cultivating the character required of heaven's heirs as God works to will and do. It is discerned as the mind expands through studying the Word after submitting to Christ's yoke and learning meekness and lowliness, which fits one for the kingdom. This trains the mind to search Scripture, wrestle with difficulties, store God's knowledge and principles as in a treasure house, and tax memory until the Word becomes a harmonious whole filling a heart cleansed from selfishness and moral defilement in homage to God's law.

Working solidly for eternal life means understanding great privileges and advantages in view of Christ's soon coming and being doers of the Word with reverent seriousness. It means exercising constantly increasing faith with confidence of receiving eternal life, manifesting true godliness, and adding grace to grace until victorious over every sin. It means enduring God's painful pruning to perfect character and bear fruit now, winning heaven and standing in right relation to God during the period given to bear fruit and work on Christ's side. The opportunity must not be missed through worldly inventions of excitement, pleasure, and diversion, because the Lord will come with power to end these things and then it will be too late. Believers can overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony, with all heaven interested in their persevering struggle not to lose the heavenly reward.

The mind must cooperate with God in the great work of overcoming to fit the agent for highest service, with safety only when self is crucified and all is done with eye single to God's glory. God's claims extend to words and actions, with account to be given for deeds done in the body, placing wonderful responsibility on the human agent. The inward working of the Spirit works outward, weighing words before they are spoken and subduing the spirit that moves to action unto the mind of Christ. In proportion as the Word is honestly entertained and obeyed as governing law, it impresses every spring of action and every phase of character, elevating and purifying into sons and daughters of God. This demands prompt obedience, walking as Christ walked, learning His meekness, denying self, taking up the cross, subduing passions daily, and following where He leads to the mansions He prepares, for it cannot be done while self is cherished, petted, and exalted with vanity, self-love, and evil thinking and speaking.

Working out salvation requires a life of purity and truth that puts gospel principles into practice. The soul belongs to Christ who purchased it with His life and is to be kept free from dishonesty and falsehood for God's glory. This is pursued with earnest reverence in cooperation with God and obedience to light received, not independently of Him. He works within, giving both desire and ability to do what pleases Him, which is the guiding principle for those who would be among the redeemed.

Grace Faith and Error

Working out salvation does not contradict salvation by grace through faith as God's free gift, and it does not leave weak mortals to secure salvation in their own line and strength. It means active, obedient cooperation with Christ in His appointed way, while Christ Himself works in every son and daughter of Adam to will and to do of His good pleasure and attends every step to finish faith. Human effort depends wholly on the power and grace of the divine Worker, not independent effort apart from God, and believers act humbly with reverent seriousness while entrusting the keeping of their souls to God, for they cannot save themselves and their salvation rests on His sacrifice and help. The Holy Spirit brings saving truths and promises vividly to mind so they can be obeyed and remain effective, and as people behold Jesus at the cross they believe and are changed, learning to hate the sin that caused His suffering. The command therefore gives encouragement against discouragement and fainting and forbids idleness and folded arms, since believers are put in this world to work, persevering by relying on Christ, following the Spirit, remaining watchful, trusting the Word, and living by faith rather than feeling for present and eternal good.

His grace creates a new heart, a higher life, and holy enthusiasm, a renewal that is a miracle. By faith people take hold of divine power and cooperate with Christ as personal Saviour, working out the human part together with God and not apart from Him, for God works within both to will and to act according to His good pleasure. In the day of salvation they escape coming wrath by resolving to become acquainted with Him, believing Him as Helper, and drawing near with confession and repentance, while He restores His image and works within to form the will and the doing of His good pleasure on the ground of redemption and forgiveness through the cross.

In working out salvation each person is accountable only to God, linked to Him in continual dependence through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. Prayer and confession are presented directly to God in trust in the merits of Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and man without priest or pope, receiving full forgiveness in humility and contrition. Yet forgiveness by grace does not release anyone from the struggle for immortal life, refuting the false teaching that belief alone saves, and requiring instead a faith that works by love and purifies the soul, accepted with humility and gratitude rather than boastful self-confidence, choosing God's will and ways over one's own, living faithfully before God, overcoming rebellious thoughts and actions in this present life by divine grace, and continuing in active, persevering obedience without failure or discouragement.

God alone renews the heart, while believers actively work out salvation with reverence, humility, and obedient living, depending on God who joins His power to human effort and works in them both the desire and the ability to do what pleases Him. Salvation does not excuse cherished sin but produces holiness and righteous deeds through Christ's righteousness dwelling in the believer, as the Holy Spirit uses people to form them in Christ's likeness. This work belongs to complete restoration from sin, where no unrighteousness escapes God's law or its condemnation, the standard is the perfection of God's character, and Christ's life is the perfect example of obedience and service.

The only election found in the Bible is being elected to be saved by actively carrying out salvation with reverent fear, not unconditional election to heavenly bliss. It means being elected to put on the armor, to fight the good fight of faith, to use the means within reach to war against every unholy lust while Satan plays the game of life for the soul, to watch unto prayer, to search the Scriptures, to avoid entering temptation, to have faith continually, and to obey every word from God's mouth as a doer and not a hearer only. This work is linked to never falling and to receiving an abundant entrance into Christ's everlasting kingdom, a promise offered to everyone as assurance of eternal life.

Claiming Christ's sacrifice while continuing in sin ministers to sin and makes His cross of no effect, and it were better it had never been made than used in that way. Instead of sitting at ease saying Christ has done all, believers as workers together with God must learn and do what is required, throwing all energy into eternal interests, responding to the workings of the Holy Spirit, and earnestly asking what to do to be saved, which lifts the soul into a purer, holier atmosphere. Those truly converted recognize responsibility to God to work out salvation with fear and trembling by making recovery from sin complete while humbly and trustfully depending on God.

Each person has a part in receiving Christ as personal Saviour by believing in Him, abiding in Him, and exercising in every circumstance a faith that works through love and purifies the soul in universal humility and benevolence reflecting Christ's character and in love to God and man. Christ is the source of this faith, which must be continually exercised, supplying grace and power because He sacrificed Himself, with God working by the Holy Spirit in all believers to help them do it, giving grace for the grace they impart, making receivers of His Spirit sons of God, one with Christ in God, who overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony. A person trusts God's promises in simple faith and then works out salvation in cooperation with Christ as the disciples were called to do, actively and intelligently with simple trusting faith, growing daily in faith and trust, animated by the Holy Spirit and directed to God's glory. This life of faith strengthens, settles, and confirms the believer, joined to receiving Christ's grace and sharing blessings received from Him whose blood purchased them, with light received strengthening for service and shared with others, and with faith in His atoning blood assuring pardon, reconciling the sinner to God, and by daily reliance bringing wisdom to discern what keeps the soul from sin's bondage especially in the last days.

All deformed by sin need a Saviour who saves to the uttermost, yet each must do his part to work out salvation with reverence in cooperation with God who works to will and to do what pleases Him. God did not send angels but His own Son, who suffered and was tempted in all points like humans and therefore knows how to help the tempted and tried, making salvation possible and proving great love, in return demanding obedience. Christ knew man could not overcome without help, so He laid off royal robes and clothed divinity with humanity that man might be rich, coming to earth and suffering to sympathize and assist in overcoming and to bring moral power so that through His merits man can overcome sin and the devil, and must not think he has nothing to do. His sacrifice ransoms from slavery to sin and His atonement makes sharing His throne and glory possible, to be valued by doing one's part in forming a character God can approve.

Salvation was purchased at infinite cost by the life of the Son of God to serve each person individually, giving infinite value to each soul. Each one must therefore do earnest work to cooperate with God in the salvation of his own soul instead of giving up and leaving God to do it all, and by that cooperation becomes a co-laborer with Christ. What God demands in return is perfection of character, a life molded after the divine similitude, with each person responding to knowledge received and joining believers in pursuing salvation, while even children must choose whether to receive help, though parents obeying truth and seeking in God's fear to help them do accepted work.

Doing one's part means meeting the conditions of faith and obedience through cooperation of the human with the divine. Faith and works go together and each is dead alone; works do not save but are fruit of faith, so living faith reveals itself in action, in coming to Christ whose arms are open, putting the hand in His outstretched hand to be received and led, and following Him. Believers cooperate not by saving themselves apart from Him but by living out faith through service, becoming channels of light to others, keeping first love fresh by giving to others what was received, rejoicing with hearts aglow as they see His treasure of truth and grace, lifting Jesus before family, neighborhood, and church, and trading on the Lord's goods. As God works in them to will and to do of His good pleasure, heavenly agencies work with human agencies and the Holy Spirit cooperates with the willing, God-fearing, humble worker to increase tact and wisdom, and the doer of the word is justified before God.

Diligent Daily Discipleship

Ability in the Lord's service comes only by watching and working and praying, pressing ever toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus with studious persevering effort to do God's will that is always attended by success. Working out salvation with reverent seriousness calls those with school responsibilities to use abilities faithfully and keep improving, so work bears fruit for eternal life and prepares people for service. It means fearing to make a mistake and lead others by a wrong example, and showing the fidelity God acknowledges by doing every assigned work with thoroughness and genuineness and no sham, since God puts His stamp on genuine work and counts spurious work as worthless. Thorough faithful work in school makes education worth double in the afterlife, joined to God working within to give both the willing and the doing of His good pleasure.

Putting self out of sight and coming into right relation to God under the broad shield of Omnipotence is where alone there is safety. Only there does God work through believers to will and to do of His good pleasure as they work out salvation, producing forbearance and kindness that makes them a blessing to all associates. Those who would have life that measures with the life of God must be workers in this life, watching unto prayer without failing or being discouraged, working out salvation by faith, and by faith and complete submission becoming partakers of God's love and doers of His will. Keeping self in subordination means standing by God's unchangeable law rather than own judgment or others' opinions.

Diligently carrying out salvation with reverent seriousness means not passing Scripture over indifferently but walking in the light of instruction given through apostles and prophets, recovering lost ground by guarding strictly individually and collectively to meet the high standard in Christ's lowly self-denying obedient mind, with universal humility and benevolence and self-denial in good works, holding forth the word of life in sanctified words and conduct as blameless lights in a crooked nation. It means hearing the Word with hungering desire to hear in faith and profit by hearing, living by every word from God's mouth, and giving sincere earnest attention to Christ's instruction. Fear and trembling includes fear lest wrong use be made of gospel words, which are leaves of the tree of life for healing of nations, requiring hearing correctly so God can use the hearer in instructing others, while God works within to will and do His pleasure. To work out salvation is to treat prayer as solemn, to watch unto prayer, and to speak and act in harmony with prayer, searching the heart with humility, putting wrongs right, and bringing soul, tongue and words to God to be used for His glory in order to receive from the Lord. The human will cannot be forced into cooperation nor subdue itself, but when willing to be made willing God works both desire and action that please Him, and those receiving light through searching Scripture work it out this way while others with greater light may turn away.

Working out salvation with fear and trembling means arousing from sleep to do intelligently now the work God calls to do, honoring the Redeemer and glorifying His name, while God works within to will and do His pleasure. It requires forming correct habits and making a record that can be met without shame in judgment, so that when all meet the Judge over His broken law none stand condemned. For fathers and mothers this includes an example leaving children no excuse for wrongdoing, counseling and reproving in the fear of the Lord, seeking in prayer a spirit God can commend, and seeking to meet the mind of the Spirit. It is vigilant resistance to spiritual slumber and faithful use of every moment, possible because God works both will and ability to do what pleases Him.

Every soul must actively work out salvation while God works both to will and to do, forbidding carelessness, neglect of life's duties, and idle contemplation mistaken for devotion. It requires faithful attention to duties, diligence in business, fervency in spirit, and constant watchfulness lest one prove unfaithful, as constant preparedness for earth's last events showing faith by works. Saving faith is demonstrated by great activity to advance God's cause, and those knowing the Master's will but doing nothing will receive according to works. The life is humble, earnest and active cooperation with God ruling out idleness, passive surrender to circumstances, and expecting others to develop character, with faith, hope and love abiding as foretaste of the overcomer's reward as seekers reflect Christ's image. Mere hurry and activity do not purify the soul, for people are judged by faithfulness in following God's directions, not by busyness.

God has revealed the plan to guide all life plans and purposes, that the saving work which is the one work of supreme importance is done by cooperation of human with divine, God working both to will and to do while man does his part with reverence. This cooperation is the very means by which God would establish His kingdom, so to pray for His kingdom to come while refusing to work with Him is to reject His means. Many do not see this because their interest is with the enemy's ranks rather than Christ's loyal soldiers. When willing to count all things loss to gain Christ, eyes are opened to see things as they are, and earthly selfish enjoyments opposing God's work are surrendered for the heavenly.

Continued obedience whether an apostle is present or absent pursues salvation with reverent seriousness joined to God's inward work enabling desire and action pleasing to Him, producing a life free from murmuring and disputes, blameless and harmless among a crooked and perverse people, shining as lights holding out the word of life, with mutual help to keep courage and growth into His likeness by fixing eyes on Jesus. God is in earnest and Himself works both to will and to do, so those with great light, privileges and encouragement must for their own good and for those looking to them beware making crooked paths and stand on no other ground than the sure Word. Probationary time is given to learn God's terms and unite as fellow workers in molding character after the divine likeness, while God examines with intense interest fitness to associate with sinless angels and the redeemed family, so none of the ransomed will begin a rebellion like Satan's before creation. This includes heeding warning against hearts weighed down with indulgence, surfeiting, drunkenness and cares lest that day come unawares, and taking heed to self to put no stumbling block in a brother's way nor measure him. Salvation is a free gift obtainable on no other condition, yet not enjoyed without action and cooperation, by coming humbly with no price, clinging at once to the cross without waiting, praying believing the Father receives even sinners, and cooperating with what God works within.

Each person must exercise whatever influence, natural energy, talents and capabilities God has given, because God cooperates and works both to will and to do His pleasure. Influence and ability increase by use to honor God and weaken and decay through misuse and indolence, for God is source of all capabilities, deals personally with each, requires recognition and best use of gifts, and supplies by His power the points of character essential for the assigned place of each obedient servant. Industry is essential to godliness, requiring putting to the stretch every spiritual muscle, since slothfulness prevents desired influence and means death to spirituality unless fought and overcome, while God pledges to supply necessities and renew vigor for cooperators. God wants His people quick of understanding and will help if they help themselves by asking, becoming channels for heaven and angels by letting the Saviour possess the heart, for those absorbed in the world cannot be used as channels of grace.

Securing personal salvation calls for never leaving Christ out for a moment and living in perfect conformity to God's will, which alone gives safety against a vigilant foe watching to capture the off-guard. It means employing every power in God's service, asking for and receiving the Holy Spirit as life and happiness of the soul, obeying God's law for eternal life, and keeping Christ dwelling within, for without Him the soul dies, while God supplies willing and doing. People cannot walk safely by own wisdom but depend on Christ's sustaining hand, known through searching God's Word, cooperating as God works both desire and doing. It means laboring together with God to become what He would have, surrendering personal way, ideas and sentimentalism, keeping love and affections subordinate to God's Spirit instead of idolatrous confidence in humans that kills love for God. Closely examining the heart in thankful response to promises lets the Lord reveal the work to be done, since He supplies both willing and doing.

Prompt earnest obedience without delay takes salvation seriously, illustrated by Lot's lingering in Sodom as danger of delay when God warns to leave evil and protect families. Lot failed to recognize danger in time by lingering among evil influences, and his wife became a pillar of salt. This obedience is possible because God works within giving both desire and ability to do what pleases Him.

Believers work out salvation with reverence while God works will and ability, equipping for unselfish Christian service alongside Christ, which is education's highest aim. Diligently working it as laborers together with God gains the highest education, standing by Christ in unselfish service, standing firm with courage, perseverance, constant self-denial and obedience to commandments while God works within. Those who do so receive guard of angels and health precious in God's sight as commandment keepers. The verse applies to training students' abilities for consecrated service and preparing for the day of trial, requiring teachers to be daily learners in Christ's school in true physical, mental and moral excellence, leading souls by precept and example to the Great Teacher's lessons. None satisfied with a low standard should teach, and fitness to teach godliness comes only when Christ is formed within as hope of glory.

Seeking and doing God's will rather than choosing only preferred work means asking God to show what to do and lead in His way, while recognizing He works both to will and to act. It means setting aside natural preferences and being willing to undertake work others believe should be done, seeking God's direction.

Keeping self subordinate works out salvation with reverent seriousness, linked with knowing Christ and Him crucified, where separation from the world and obedience evidence love for God. It calls each person to hold firmly to principle and refuse to compromise truth and righteousness to please worldly companions, with precious time for choice looking toward the immortal crown and entering God's city with truth-keepers. Renewed consecration follows Christ's example in discipleship terms, denying self, taking up the cross, giving up hindrances, and working together with Jesus while God works both to will and to do.

Those with light must walk in Jesus' footsteps and with fear and trembling work out salvation by watching and praying and working also. This is especially urgent because the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly as a thief in the night upon those not watching, praying and working.

Each person works out destiny through character formed in this life, faithfully using entrusted years, opportunities, and physical, mental and spiritual gifts rather than remaining idle whatever ability. This involves improving abilities in line with the Giver's will, growing in faith and love through access to divine power by Christ's blood and righteousness, living unselfishly to promote others' well-being, building Christ's kingdom and revealing God's glory rather than treating salvation as secondary or devoting to temporary interests. It means using what the Bible makes plain to gain increased knowledge of God and real advancement in knowledge and virtue, learning meekness, taking His yoke, and cooperating while He works within. Those who do so reveal His spotless character as examples of the redeemed family's purity, fitting in this world for heaven's nobility, translation, and entrance through the gates, proving through Christ's grace and sacrifice that humans can live pure holy lives carrying out heavenly principles and meeting God's high standard. Faith is made perfect through works in a life shaped by Christ the Pattern, calling for steady effort and use of every sanctified power.

Family Church and Mission

Working out salvation calls for earnest cooperation in securing Christian training and developing character to make calling and election sure, using this world as a training school for future immortal life rather than perdition, studying Christ's lessons and following His example with the mark set high through Him and no cheap ideas of character, since nothing is done without the human agent working while God produces both the willing and the doing to restore the moral image for companionship with angels. For a mother, especially when expecting a child, this partnership means keeping the soul in God's love with mind at peace resting in Jesus' love, opening the heart to instruction, placing self in the light, seeking wisdom to know how to act, doing her part in conformity to God's will, and exercising God-given talents intelligently with divine agencies in training children. Parents likewise must carry forward salvation with reverent fear while divine power joins human effort to give courage and zeal to help children and others, and their conversion includes teaching others the lessons learned in Christ's school.

Personal salvation is worked out by doing the very things God wants in order to become intelligent and capable in His service, by believing, watching and praying with reverent seriousness in dependence on God who works to will and to act, and by improving entrusted talents, including some of the best and highest talents bestowed on the colored race. In close connection with God this means right teaching on the farm and in the school to cultivate the land and labor with earnestness and perseverance for the uplifting of one's own people so the land bears fruit to His glory.

The work means using every ability while humbly resisting the enemy's efforts to confuse and overthrow, with human effort and divine work acting together under God's guidance in harmonious unity bringing glory to God, actively cooperating with the Lord Jesus and holding fast all gained through Christ. It requires obedience and trust in God rather than in men, each individually accountable with no right to control another's judgment, cleansing the heart of evil as God shapes will and doing, making the obedient a holy nation and royal priesthood with victory over enemies. It means living a humble Christian life in union with Jesus, revealing in character strength received from Him, living up to all light received, laboring together with God by imparting the light of Christ's righteousness to those ignorant of God and exerting good influence over unbelievers, letting light shine, taking up assigned work, unitedly seeking what the Lord would have done, and doing a work for Jesus as lasting as eternity revealing miracle-working power with eternal life as inducement. It means following the Lord's plans closely and being in every respect an example to believers, with words exalting God's Word, living and teaching health reform principles, emphasizing great truths held in common, and carrying forward salvation with reverence and awe.

The context in Philippians 2:1-16 shows putting confidence in local conference ministers and local church officers, drawing nigh to brethren, loving with true heart fervently, encouraging faithful bearing of responsibilities in God's fear by being an example in word, conduct, charity, spirit, faith and purity. The instruction belongs to the church to be practiced not merely read, in a humble life shaped by God's Word including humble fellowship and unity. Cooperation is supported by seeking counsel and prayer from fellow believers and then acting, while each does his own part with reverent seriousness as God works within to will and to do.

Working out salvation with fear and trembling is the means by which the church's spiritual character is carefully maintained and its sacred character demonstrated to the world, for the church is in the world to do a work for the world to glorify the Lord's name and advance His cause, yet its doors must not open to worldliness but be strictly guarded, requiring wise generalship and sanctified reason rather than prejudice or impulse while Christ looks on every soul with intense interest.

God has a great unfinished work opposed by Satan with great power because his time is short, and every person is called to help by entering right relation to God and placing himself physically where able to work, carrying forward salvation with reverence and earnestness while God works to will and to do, including placing proper value on self by caring for the body to be fit for service. This is done by following Christ as pattern for self-denying missionary life and labor as He came to show how to live and labor, drawing nigh daily to learn lessons for immortal life, making no mistake but making certain of eternal life in the city of God, with urgency because judgment will soon visit large cities.

Working out salvation requires earnest active service with fear and trembling, for those belonging to God are bought with a price and are to labor in His vineyard rather than be idle, giving themselves to assigned work. It is Christ's command requiring submission and obedience shown by diligently working out personal salvation with reverent fear and by unselfish labor to the utmost ability for others' salvation to advance God's work instead of neglecting it, with present and future happiness depending on that submission.

It means engaging in the heavenly contest for eternal life with earnest striving, self-control in all things and eternal vigilance to resist evil and surmount obstacles, with Jesus anxiously watching longing to encourage and holy angels cooperating with every effort to overcome evil in the nature, standing at duty with unswerving faith, meeting evil with good, refusing to dishonor God by quitting, quitting oneself as a brave soldier before the world and angels who long that none fail or be discouraged, for each doing his best receives the crown of immortality purchased by blood while failure loses it. Every soldier must stand firm, meet assault with "It is written" using divine not human wisdom, keep eyes fixed on Christ, press back darkness, and pray always with all prayer in the Spirit watching with perseverance and supplication for all saints, while God stands ready to furnish light, grace and power.

Working out salvation with fear and trembling means actively exerting for others' salvation and making sacrifices for Christ while God gives will and power, and those sharing truth do not create its light or saving impression, for angels move on hearts cooperating with message bearers. It means cooperating with the One who gave His life as His agent and helping hand, consecrating heart, mind, soul and strength, yielding to His keeping for safe leading, beginning missionary work where one is by deeds of kindness and words of cheer so heaven's light shines through the mind to others. It is closely joined to devoting self to others by watching for souls and laboring to save the erring, following Christ's example in earnest struggle that bears fruit in worker and helped, arousing dormant energies. That effort includes sharing truth and making sacrifices to do good, bringing enjoyment of spiritual life rather than coldness, strengthening spiritual powers and helping the effort succeed while blessing the worker's own soul. Laying aside self-seeking and exercising graces through unselfish labor develops deep stable Christlike character and strengthens for God's work.

As sinners and debtors not here to bless self only, sober righteous living breathing heaven's atmosphere with good influence includes helping others be saved, doing all to remove iniquity so the Lord may purify, having living experience with Christ, and from love talking of Him and leading to the fountain of life. It includes unselfishly doing Christ's work to help and bless rather than passively receiving blessings while doing nothing, for Christian life grows by active exercise of powers, developing character, strengthening faith and deepening experience. Personal work goes together with labor for others, attending to own standing, humbly confessing sins and claiming promises with reverent earnestness. It is done by sharing received truth and practicing it, keeping first love strong by giving the gospel to unbelievers, not by human effort alone but as God works to will and to do with heavenly agencies cooperating with willing workers. It does not stop with self but looks to God crying for the Spirit because souls must be saved, helping others know God with God's Word accepted and love in heart in fear and trembling, bringing happiness and making even the poor joint heirs with Christ. Those caring for widows and the fatherless and devoting themselves to saving souls are working out salvation even as they work for others, with earnest effort joined to God's inward willing and doing, and growth in Christ comes through that cooperation.

Parents and children are to work out salvation with reverence and earnest care by resisting temptation, praying for strength, believing in Jesus and His promises, choosing daily to live for Him, with victory strengthening the soul for future trials, not by human effort alone for God works to will and to do. Working for children's salvation is itself working out one's own, as God works desire and doing. Parents work out their own by laboring successfully for children whose home is first school and first care, and lessons learned there prepare them to work for children and others as highest religious experience. Obedient parents seeking in God's fear to help children do accepted work, yet children must choose whether to receive help, each responding to knowledge and joining in pursuing salvation. For children too young to know good and evil parents stand in God's place under sacred trust to educate in His love and fear, and neglect of right training displeases Him most, so they must guard little ones' words and actions lest the enemy gain influence to counterwork God, and kindly, interestedly, tenderly cultivate every good thing and repress every evil developing in character, since good will not naturally predominate. Every effort in human power must place children most favorably to form required character, exercising every spiritual sinew to save the flock because hellish powers conspire for destruction, praying much more, lovingly teaching children to come to the heavenly Father, teaching self-control and helpfulness by example in home management, telling that Christ lived not to please Himself, while the Spirit fills the mind with precious thoughts in working for personal and children's salvation.

Each knower of truth must do personal work no other can do without losing time, trading on entrusted talents by presenting truth to souls in error and darkness, which clarifies perception, gives practical experimental knowledge, strengthens the soul and establishes faith through meeting objection by close Bible study and prayer, done with fear and trembling lest opponents misjudge truth, in dependence on God for success with the Spirit as mighty agent, trials driving to prayer, living connection with Christ, sincerity, earnestness, faithfulness, meekness and steadfast confidence making life a living witness, with continual receiving, diffusing and increasing light building well-developed character and winning souls from error. This means putting on gospel armor, through sanctification receiving needed help, putting forth all powers of sanctified intellect, moving steadily without failing or discouragement in working cities, keeping Christ ever as Pattern, praying in faith, talking faith, hope and courage, making faith perfect by works manifesting faith working by love purifying the soul, thereby gaining rich experience and glorious victories.

Working out salvation calls for earnest immediate effort beyond occasional feeling or outward form, beginning without delay to seek genuine conversion not relying on profession or form, with repentance, confession, reliance on Christ and fruits of the Spirit in daily life, becoming partaker of divine nature escaping corruption through lust, while zeal weakened by ambition, pride and self-love gives no evidence of conversion. It calls for beginning earnestly with humility and transformed heart and mind, for mere agreement or baptismal profession is not enough and pride, self-love and formal religion hinder. It means actively living salvation with reverent seriousness, not merely professing but obeying and practicing the Word, with holy godly conduct testifying to saving power and orderly upright behavior leading unbelievers to see its effect. It is done while trusting in the Lord through Christ's power and grace.

Knowing self and keeping deficiencies in mind produces humility allowing the Lord to train the mind and mold and discipline character, laying aside from reckoning and work every plan weakening spiritual life and everything unessential for eternal life, thus building wisely for eternity, which for teachers and workers is acceptable work. This involves continual growth in Christ, ever learning from Him, receiving and imparting well-rounded education, developing moral excellence to teach by example and instruction, with Christ formed within as hope of glory and no settling for low standard in teaching godliness' mysteries.

Preparation for heaven must take place in this life as Christ's grace is woven into every phase of character. Salvation must be worked out through shaping character now, making crooked character straight before life ends or having no part in immortal life, with childhood and youth especially important to form habits God can approve aided by parents and teachers helping obey God's Word. Each child has individual responsibility: faithful parents can instruct, discipline and help form heaven-fit character but cannot save children or do their part, so children must choose Christian character and make best use of parental advantages. With Christ's perfection as pattern, who began work in childhood to give example, guides should point children to Him in developing perfect character. Building in youth while sowing lasts means bringing best soundest timbers into character and keeping free from society known to be no help, for opposition from God's enemy is enough without seeking Satan's agents, including youth who receive his plans and act them cunningly, secretly, perseveringly to ruin souls, and joining them sides with the enemy as evil worker.

Working out salvation is done by following Christ as pattern, drawing nigh daily, making certain of eternal life with urgency. It means consecrating anew to labor together with Christ as privilege and summons with fear and trembling because life's record is sealed to be opened when judgment sits and books open. It means answering God's invitation to be laborers together with Him realizing God works to will and to do, and if those with great light will not respond God will use those with far less light and fewer opportunities, so thousands should be awake, earnest, bright shining lights knowing the time, not waiting to be urged but constrained to diffuse light and open truth distinctly, for no time is to be lost.

Eternal happiness depends on submission and obedience to Christ's words, so working out salvation is eating Christ and living by Him, receiving His words as quickening spirit and life, made clean through spoken word, abiding in Him, revealing His spirit, becoming one with Him, partaking through faith of His Spirit and love, set apart to do His works. Knowledge of salvation is found by diligently searching the Word, receiving it as leaves of the tree of life, eating and digesting it as flesh and blood of the Son, creating appetite for heaven's bread by which man never dies.

Each connected with God's work must work out salvation with fear and trembling by denying self, taking up self-sacrifice's cross with higher consecration reflected in ordinary business and temper. Each entrusted with duties is individually accountable and should carry them with fear and trembling, giving self wholly to God looking for wisdom, counsel and continual grace to do work rightly.

Salvation is worked out through union with Christ in keeping with Bible principles enabled by God's inward power. It includes practicing what grace was asked to do and helping the troubled through faithful words and kind deeds joined to God's giving will and power, with abiding in Christ restraining discouraging words.

Believers are to work out salvation with fear and trembling because God gives will and power, learning this from Christ rather than self-importance or conceit. They are to take hold of God and diligently fulfill duty with reverent seriousness with the Lord working alongside. Young people serving God should so work knowing God shapes willingness and actions for good purpose. Through trials they rely on Him choosing right at critical moments while He works within.

Every person has a part, meeting every requirement and obeying every command, with God not acting apart from human agency but sufficient grace working in and with His own to fulfill every promise as they obey. Working out salvation means faithfully carrying out God-given duties with strength supplied by Christ, ever trusting, obeying, using His strength and helping the weak.

Each is to work out salvation with fear and trembling knowing God works within, in cooperation guided by the Spirit in union with Christ without whom nothing can be done, with God's will not preference as guide since hearts can be drawn to corrupt worldly standards, obedience to law as character's standard being salvation's condition with godliness and good works as fruit and evidence of genuine repentance. This requires constantly striving to elevate self and others by the Word seeking Christ's standard as God's desire, and in humble faith relying on Christ as sufficiency with God's power resting on the work. It means turning from self-directed plans and relying on God's life-giving heart work.

No magical change comes without requisite steps; life is humble working out with fear and trembling because God works to will and to do, requiring not halting but escaping for life, depending on God, being disciplined for higher life, waiting His pleasure, following Him, relying in obedience on His Word's strength. To obey when hardest is true surrender quickening moral nature, subduing pride, and submitting will to God's fits for saints' inheritance, with cooperative work also within the church and reliance on the Word.

Each must work out salvation daily by faith with reverence and humility not boasting, using all powers in Christ's service and even after utmost regarding self as unprofitable, for effort alone does not save but divine power joins efforts, and clinging in faith Christ gives wisdom and righteousness to build on sure foundation. The life is lived day by day with reward depending on daily conduct, calling for inward religion and true godliness, not depressed mournful frustration at not having own way, for Christ within as hope of glory brings enduring light.

Working out salvation with fear and trembling means faithfully cooperating under God's conditions letting His will not ambition rule, with human agents weak and dependent and success proportionate to faith, love and earnest effort as God works to will and to do. It calls for humble trust and devotion to His will not confidence in own wisdom, acting in dependence while God cooperates giving wisdom and power and receiving glory, with fear and trembling belonging to that humble dependence.

Those God calls and chooses can if willing learn from Christ to be true and faithful in trust, gaining perfection through connection with His work under daily trial, not already perfect when chosen, only by living connection implanting the Spirit, being meek and lowly not airing importance, boasting future greatness or exercising arbitrary conceit, first learning to guide self with enlightened sanctified intelligence to deal rightly with minds.

Husbands and wives must pursue salvation with reverence and earnest care, submitting and cooperating as God enables desire and action, in daily growth overcoming and developing Christlike virtues. Each must actively carry out inward salvation with reverent seriousness, communing with Christ as only hope instead of yielding to feelings, studying His life, following example, standing firmly on God's side, bringing Spirit's graces into daily life, and for husband and wife refusing to separate, for this life is fitting-up time for future life when the King is seen in beauty under Christ's watching presence, while God works to form character like His own perfect character so heaven's record stands complete.

Working out salvation with fear and trembling means rising from grossness, earthliness and sensuality repressing sensuality through repentance and conversion, turning square about with firmness and sanctified decisions, true to self and God, thorough with no halfway purpose, conscientiously surrendering entire life while God works to will and to do. It allows no halfway purpose but demands thorough decision, reverencing and obeying God, adopting right principle in all things, aiming to be all designed, refusing to swerve for temptation with God as present help giving wisdom, including overcoming intemperate appetite after worldly custom injuring body and soul and beclouding brain, bringing habits into accord with nature's laws so thoughts become clear and pure.

Those whose character grieves Christ are called to humble hearts or be set aside, to stop walking from Christ onto enemy ground where souls imperil and unbelief's leaven spreads, and to seek healing ministry while actively carrying forward salvation because God shapes willing and doing. Believers must earnestly take part with reverence following surrender and the Spirit's transforming work, with God giving power when the enemy attacks.

Every person must individually work out salvation with fear and trembling by planting feet on living Word, believing and acting in harmony, humbly confessing sin and following Christ, which cures tame lifeless meetings by bringing revival and more of Christ's mighty working.

Each must work out salvation rather than depend on others, with humility, careful prayerful conduct and earnest petitions for molding to His character, with angels ready to help those walking thus. This means taking salvation seriously with reverence and earnest effort rather than seeking others' faults to appear superior, depending on God shaping desires and actions.

Working out salvation is daily experience not to be regarded lightly because it cost Christ's daily sacrifice and death on the cross, carried forward as tremendous reality in Jesus' name not haphazardly, with eye single to God's glory, humbling self under His hand, fashioning life to the Son's perfect pattern by imitating Christ into conformity with God's will, whereupon God exalts in due time to stand with Christ in heavenly courts with immortal crown.

It means trusting Christ's merits and fully believing His atoning sacrifice's power while God produces willing and doing, done day by day by talking with God, pressing to know the Lord, entering presence through Jesus' blood, laying hold on hope, binding soul to the Mediator, sharing divine nature, hiding life with Christ in God, led by His Spirit giving genuine faith and making workers together with God, drawing ever nearer.

It means learning and meeting prescribed conditions at peril of soul with genuine faith fully believed and acted not half believed, remembering God works to will and to do, while clear distinct certain warnings are given even as faith in the Lord's coming grows feeble though signs fulfill worldwide.

Believers must actively work out salvation with reverent seriousness exercising faith in promises depending on God working to will and to do, with constant vigilance and wholehearted willing service not half-hearted effort.

The verse shows difference between professing and living the Word, where self not struggling for recognition is hid with Christ in God, with fear and trembling as result of the Spirit's sanctification, meaning close self-examination lest the Lord be denied by word, spirit or gesture, seeing and choosing God's ways and will while leaning on Jesus, unconsciously carrying forward a vast sublime experiment before world, angels and men.

Each must take personal responsibility faithfully carrying entrusted duties with fear and trembling looking to God for wisdom, counsel and continual grace to avoid mistakes. Everyone must work out salvation yielding to Higher Will and Power improving character and bringing peace, grace and salvation, including training children's minds in the Lord's way with tender speech never sharp harsh words.

Working out salvation in co-partnership with Christ means doing works He bids in meekness and lowliness, humbling self, depending wholly for grace and guidance, never living without His presence, since perfection comes only through His righteousness' gift. It means letting trials humble into total dependence, going to Him in trouble instead of defective humans, taking everything in prayer to the Lord as Friend rather than unloading on neighbors and brethren, for He stands at humanity's head giving power through sacrifice to partake divine nature and be transformed to divine likeness laying hold on infinite power, and placing on humans what only Saviour can bear leaves without excuse, insults God and remains feeble.

Salvation is worked out by believing and living gospel principles, using God-given abilities in His service, through which God makes His people a praise in the earth. God's purpose is fulfilled as they believe and practice, yielding capabilities to service to receive fullness and power of the promise to the church.

Bearers of Christ's name must believe gospel principles and work them out in all done and said with pure thoughts and noble uplifting words, representing Christ as sanctified purified holy people communicating light and a praise in earth. Christ's grace is sufficient yet His purpose is fulfilled only as they work out the gospel, and only as they yield capabilities will they enjoy promise's fullness and power on which the church stands. Each must faithfully work as steward obeying teaching not merely professing or claiming works, doing God's will with reverent seriousness, and Christ qualifies the faithful to guide others in truth, happiness and obedience.

Salvation calls for personal experience and earnest effort: youth must strive to enter the narrow gate with fear lest they fail rather than follow inclination or proud confidence, for without personally knowing God and having Christ they cannot show His character and will perish with unbelievers. All especially youth must live out personal salvation with fear and trembling, maintaining genuine influence and unwavering faith in Christ as personal Saviour never to betray Him.

Working out salvation means seeking earnestly and acting with reverence before God, preparing for judgment when works are tested by seeking God, turning from pride and vanity, doing what He requires, depending on strength greater than human aid and leaning on God while looking to the faithful's reward. Shaped by truth in Jesus the believer perseveres in right, keeps heaven in view, demonstrates truth's principles, builds character for eternity and shows the world what belief does. Perseverance must continue so as not to lose heavenly reward, overcoming through the Lamb's blood and testimony with all heaven interested.

Working out salvation calls for moral and mental strength not squandered, overcoming harmful habits like tobacco and using means to help others overcome, whereby one may help bring salvation to the whole family. Faithfully it includes actively resisting intemperance, opposing liquor saloons, supporting temperance reform and guarding against tea and coffee to remain strong against evil.

It means relying on Christ by faith and prayer through knowing Him to be saved from sin, with faith in atoning blood assuring pardon, the pardoned reconciled, and daily reliance bringing wisdom to discern what keeps from bondage especially in last days.

Each is responsible for pursuing salvation through Christ by faithfully doing God-given work, using powers and opportunities to do His will, give warning and invitation and help save others, with faithful cooperation making work enduring and reward proportionate to faithfulness, while neglect can lose own soul and incur accountability for others who might have been saved. It means working solidly for eternal life for self and others because heaven is to win and hell to shun, consecrating every jot of influence to strengthen others and give last warning to perishing world with prayer and work bringing blessing, rather than frivolous unsanctified amusements gratifying desire and attracting attention to self.

Every church member and worker must seek the Lord without delay for personal experience, working, striving, praying, believing with end at hand, because heaven is to win and eternal death to shun, refusing Satan preoccupation and giving him no place in mind or heart.

The sinner must respond now while salvation is offered in clear cross light by coming wholeheartedly to Jesus looking to be saved, repenting, confessing to God, forsaking iniquity, believing God helper and appropriating promises of unutterable love, working with reverent seriousness to escape wrath for disloyalty and law transgression, yet owing all to the Lord as Author as God works to will and to do drawing nigh with mercy and forgiveness to restore moral image through redemption in Christ's blood even forgiveness of sins.

Salvation is to be worked out with reverent seriousness without worldly methods while recognizing God gives desire and ability, including developing individual character in God's likeness in cooperation, with every gift from God and what is dear to carnal nature put away when causing stumbling.

Each is responsible for working out salvation with God's Word as guide and instructor, striving for eternal life and seeking wisdom God alone can give.

Working out salvation is earnest active obedience not passive reliance on promises or grace, possible because God works to will and to act, with growing in grace meaning practicing inward work including brotherly kindness bringing sympathy with Christ and shaping to His character.

In response to Christ's unwearying seeking of wanderers each must do his part working out salvation with fear and trembling and helping fellows place feet on the Rock with assurance God will work to will and to do. Suffering ones casting helpless souls on Jesus receive hope, courage and help to work out salvation and help others.

Believers must take salvation seriously and work it with reverent care, not satisfied with seeking it alone but laboring for others, relying on Christ and letting the Spirit through the Word sanctify and equip. Each must first heed messages for own soul because the Lord will test all professing righteousness and many laborers are not ready, then work earnestly for others. This active pursuit depending on God's power develops pure character overcoming sin and prepares for God's day trials and eternal entry.

Working out salvation means living in harmony with Christ's character, impossible while self is cherished, petted and exalted with vanity, self-love, evil thinking and speaking, demanding prompt obedience, walking as He walked, learning meekness and following footsteps in agreement, His service pure and elevated, His path not self-pleasing but denying self, taking cross and following to where He prepares mansions.

It means taking Christ as pattern for piety and purity resisting evil unbelieving heart and Satan's fascinations including lovesick sentimentalism marring purity, while those given sacred trusts yielding thereto fail and work out degeneracy to ruin.

Salvation is to be prized above all and given whole attention, working out what God works within. Divinity and humanity work together as laborers using consecrated ability in service accomplishing good through grace while ascribing all glory to Him who is Alpha and Omega first and last, actively cooperating always realizing God works to will and to do, and as they impart what received He entrusts more.

God will not raise the sick for His glory unless they work together doing what they can, so working out salvation includes doing reachable part while relying on God, using available remedies, obeying health and life laws, helping meet others' needs as praying for aid, with God enabling willing and doing and bringing favorable even miraculous results through natural means used according to His will. It includes using reason not feelings and anxiety, restricting diet, arousing self-control instead of relying on medicines or divine power alone.

Gathering neglected rejected light must be done with meekness, fear and trembling. Those reaching higher classes must work with fear lest they fail, ever remembering danger of narrow selfishness and not fully representing truth's elevating character, themselves being living epistles known and read of all.

Believers should come to camp-meetings with mind to work for own and others' salvation and keep Jesus in company returning home, by earnestly seeking deeper grace and more thorough knowledge of truth.

It means wrenching free from every power holding from Christ and working with unceasing energy striving as if salvation depended on vigilance while trusting as though all depended on God, combining human effort and divine power with strong spiritual sinew and bounding heart, living as seeing Jehovah at right hand, refusing to bend as weakling under burdens.

It requires cooperating not relying on personal strength or methods, receiving Christ as personal Saviour, trusting God's Word teaching and living by faith not feeling, necessary for God to work present and eternal good.

Each is to work out what glorifies the Father by conforming to Christ's character in this preparatory crisis time, with the truly converted working Christ's works in harmony with what He came to do, with faith working by love purifying the soul, not carrying work strangely, impulsively, dominantly but laboring in counsel and connection with accepted fellow workers.

People are to work out salvation during probation Christ provided by giving life, improving every entrusted ability and striving toward purest highest life using powers to glorify Him not selfish gratification, obeying and cultivating character with provision to reach required standard, for bodies and abilities belong to God who keeps account of good and evil with each receiving according to work at judgment.

Working out salvation and securing even smallest gospel blessing cannot be done by stealth or hidden belief but requires open courageous confession before heaven, unfallen worlds and men, becoming a spectacle to world, angels and men, a city on a hill not hid, standing as Christ's witness separate from the world, only in which is advance in knowledge of God and Christ while giving others courage to stand.

It means now cultivating traits fitting angels' society by working with the Spirit in self-distrust, where strength lies in conscious weakness, for when weak then strong, the soul crying for help, casting away human confidence and clinging firmly to Jesus like Moses asking presence to go and Jacob refusing to let go without blessing.

Christ works out salvation with people as they cooperate, and laying hold of divine power through living faith and works they gain victory over trials and stand as conquerors.

Thorough change of character is necessary before God acknowledges believers as children, requiring order in the church, having Jesus' mind to conduct aright, and correct Sabbath observance, leading to testimonies, confessions, hearty repentance and shame before God for unrighteous course toward brethren. Working out salvation with fear and trembling includes thorough confession work, as illustrated when confession was accompanied by blessing and revelation of glory, requiring humbling heart and changing course instead of leaving Christ for enemy ground because persisting imperils soul and spreads unbelief until God sets such aside.

Becoming a laborer together with God means removing every stumbling block from own and brother's way so nothing hinders progress, and neglecting required work leaves own soul under condemnation, as each actively cooperates while God shapes willing and doing. It is pursued with reverent humility not pompous overbearing dictatorial spirit, while God works within and the Spirit forms in Christ's likeness.

It means struggling to do God's will and grow into Christ's likeness with heaven recognizing loyalty, each winning by struggle to elevation and noble attainments, with Jesus giving divine help to all aspiring and God ready with abundant grace, requiring opening heart's door to let Saviour in, then teaching promises revealed in life, for failing to grasp them brings great loss to self and associates.

Those in ministry must work out salvation with fear and trembling by diligently preparing through earnest prayer and meditation, receiving golden oil to enlighten others. Ministers should carry responsibility for others' salvation with fear looking to the Lord for wisdom and continually asking grace, including personal labor beyond preaching such as visiting families, praying and opening Scriptures following Jesus daily.

Working out salvation with fear and trembling is being co-worker toward perfection, with God pardoning the repentant, regenerating lives, leading onward enabling His will, bearing up workers and, as they honor Him, making efforts successful giving ever greater strength to rise holding to Christ and climbing by Him until standing before God as trophies complete in Christ clothed in His righteousness.

It means putting whole trust in Christ, coming just as one is casting helpless soul on Him and holding His hand to come straightforwardly out of entanglement, whereupon Christ receives, shows a way out, helps, strengthens and upholds because God works to will and to do and continues in behalf of those positioned on eternal truth as consecrated channel even while Satan hinders.

Believers work out salvation with earnest care while God shapes desire and actions, and making grace their own requires faithfully doing entrusted work with fruit revealing character before God, angels and people, applied to diligent effort not idleness including persistent learning and using opportunities.

Securing salvation means never leaving Christ out and living in conformity which alone gives safety. It means living out what God works by the Spirit so surrendered will appears outwardly bringing purpose and practice into harmony unto genuine conversion, actively responding as the Spirit influences to examine defects, seek change, show repentance through confession to God and wronged persons, working in harmony bringing into action what God works in mind and heart. The agent must actively cooperate to conform habits, sanctify and reshape character to divine likeness with earnest effort, much prayer and painful struggle, learning obedience little by little, searching Scriptures personally, striving to secure treasure and enter the strait gate in reverence because God produces willing and doing.

Working out salvation includes cooperating with Christ who desires to save by putting away evil, overcoming faults and becoming new in Christ, leading to strengthening strivers rather than criticizing or condemning. Each must humbly attend to own standing, confess sins, claim promises with fear and trembling, while also laboring for others' salvation.

It means living out truth in faithful Christlike character, the converted bearing fruit, doing right because right, building for eternity with earnest care, reflecting Christ in words, motives and actions with influence reaching home, neighborhood and church showing what truth does.

It is daily partnership communicating and living out what Christ works within, with powers subject to His spirit, mind, will and methods, depending on Him not ability, becoming light-bearers serving others.

It involves learning in Christ's school through trials, coming to Jesus, trusting and depending on God rather than prosperity or praise, keeping hold of Jesus while carrying responsibilities, thereby prepared for eternal life.

Each must carry forward salvation with reverence in continual appreciation of all-comprehending goodness at all times and places, knowing God shapes willing and doing, honoring the Lord in all done and said as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ receiving heaven as free gift.

Cooperating with grace requires taking care not to lose given opportunities, actively resisting deceptions, exercising patience and faith under trial, cooperating with reverent care, bringing reason, conscience and memory under His control.

It calls believers to take salvation seriously and diligently live faith, letting conduct match belief, staying focused on God, honoring Him rather than acting carelessly or despairing, making own salvation and efforts to save others chief concern.

It means working out what God works in, placing self under Christ, filling heart with softening love and tender grace then expressing in action, with human impossibility met by God's doing through the obedient working in His order so inability reveals divine sufficiency, beginning and advancing believing right and expecting help until His mind becomes theirs, misunderstandings clear, and love flows to weak and erring.

It requires actively carrying out salvation with reverence while God shapes willing and doing, making possible presentation holy unblameable unreproveable, by learning meekness and lowliness under His control, making straight paths so the lame are not turned aside, allowing no bitter root to injure others.

What God requires of created and redeemed is testing every endowed power and keeping every faculty in perfect condition for faithful service pressing heavenward toward sanctification and perfect character, including culturing intellect to understand His will as consecrated endowment ruling bodily things to honor God and bless men not self, with sincere striving met by divine power as God works to will and to do.

Following Christ is not freedom from conflict, child's play or idleness but sacred obligation, stern battles, active labor and warfare against world, flesh and devil, with enjoyment in victories gained in hard warfare, being instant in season and out because bought with a price enlisted under Immanuel's banner to glorify God in body and spirit, laboring for enduring food, doing vineyard work where each is given work, denying self, taking cross, running with persevering energy not idleness, fighting good fight to lay hold on eternal life. Salvation calls for human response working out through obedience depending on Christ helping the tempted, connected with keeping commandments, loving God and neighbor, living by law defining sin and measuring character.

Believers work out salvation with reverent seriousness persevering not to lose heavenly reward, gaining it and overcoming through the Lamb's blood and testimony with all heaven interested. They look forward to the faithful's reward.

Working out faith with reverence is required because accepting Jesus who humbled Himself in humanity demands self-denial and alertness against forces opposing sacred truth since eternal life is at stake.

Children must actively carry forward growth with reverent seriousness while God creates desire and ability, with present advancement deciding coming life, by remembering purchase by Christ's death, practicing self-denial in giving, showing sympathy to needy and oppressed as Redeemer is set before them.

Working out salvation includes practicing asked-for grace and helping the troubled through faithful words and kind deeds joined to inward giving of will and power, with abiding restraining discouragement. Believers work carefully through unreserved surrender and faithful effort not apart from God as God shapes will and actions, illustrated by Daniel and companions.

Those who believed precious truth must keep first love fresh by giving to others what received, rejoicing in the Lord with hearts aglow seeing treasure of truth and grace, lifting Jesus before family, neighborhood and church, trading on His goods, while God works to will and to do and heavenly agencies work with human, the Spirit cooperating with willing God-fearing humble workers to increase tact and wisdom, and the doer is justified.

Salvation is worked out through thorough transformation possible because God works within, with faith working through love purifying the soul. It means earnestly cleansing robes in the Lamb's blood putting away every defect, weaving unfolding redemption plan and higher conceptions of God and holiness into life, while Jesus abides continually as living wellspring so outflow is pure sweet heavenly and the humble receive heaven's foretaste.

It means striving earnestly in this life to overcome and reach the standard, not as penance but as only means to true happiness, peace and joy, by living connection with Him who gave life, died that we might live and lives to unite power with striving efforts.

Outward religion, high office and responsibilities do not prove inward piety, and without the Spirit and Christ's grace abiding outward preparation is worthless, for believers must actively work in cooperation not own strength as God enables willing and doing.

Probation is opportunity to work out perfect character through obedience to all commandments, made possible through conversion by the Spirit, showing appreciation for Christ's sacrifice and leading to eternal riches. God adds days, months and years to give opportunity with life as holy trust which He alone enables to keep for His glory, keeping the body's wonderful structure in order if men do not work cross-purposes, helping improve talents according to His will, which is done by unselfish life promoting others' well-being, building Christ's kingdom and manifesting God's glory.

It means stopping criticism hurting neighbors and instead working diligently for own soul because eternal life can be lost, overcoming self-concentration, refusing low aims, never ceasing to grow intellectually and spiritually through life, improving defective character, bringing longsuffering, courtesy and all graces into daily work to become fit, making most of privileges, taxing soul and mind to become in Bible sense talented, educated, noble, tender, sympathetic, courteous, yet firm repressing evil's first approach by warning and rebuke since neglect lets sin follow.