(Phil. 2:12) “Wherefore, my beloved…work out your own salvation…”
This verse doesn’t say to work FOR your salvation, but “work OUT your own salvation.” What exactly are we to “work out?” Well, the next verse says:
(v.13) “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” We are to WORK OUT that which God has already WORKED IN.
See, every day and in every circumstance God is trying to work something IN us. In some, He may be trying to work more patience IN them. In others He may be trying to work more faith IN them. Therefore, we are to take what God is working IN us, and begin working it OUT in our every day lives.
People cannot see what God is working IN YOU. All they can see is the outward, so they need to see how your salvation and your daily walk with God affects your OUTWARD life. If your OUTWARD life is no different then it may be a sign you are not allowing God to do a work IN you.
Now we understand why Paul says in the next verse: (v.14) “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” We are not to gripe and complain about our circumstances because we realize that God is using them to WORK something IN us.
That’s why Paul also said “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
Today, ask God to help you with your daily workout: to show OUTWARDLY to those around you what He is trying to work INWARDLY in your life.