Fear and Trembling

For some time I've been dealing with the passage from Philippians 2:12, 13. "Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling" It seems to me that this passage could cause one to rely on his goodness for retention of his salvation, and thus lead to legalistic ideas and behavior. C. S. Lewis refers to the passage when he says that it is only by trying harder and harder (and failing) that we can come to the place where we truly realize that we cannot possibly keep God's law. It is at this point that we look to Him and say, " You have to do this, I can't" . Ah, yes, that is what the rest of that passage says, isn't it? "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose".
I love this commentary on those verses. It speaks to salvation in the past tense for one who is reaching a point of complete surrender and dependence on Christ for his salvation; but it also speaks to salvation in the present tense, for one who is growing in Christ and being changed into His likeness.
This idea of "being" must be understood. I am reminded of another passage from Paul that uses this terminology. In 2 Corinthians, 2:15, 16, Paul writes, "for we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing". Here, being could be read as if there are many people in succession are coming to know Christ. "There were many people being saved." It could also be read as if each person was being saved. " He was being saved". The latter implies that salvation is a process that takes place over time. This means that salvation is not completed at the point where Jesus blood is applied to one's condition and his name is written in the Lamb's book of life, and that his being made into the image of Christ does not necessarily immediately happen at that point. Salvation is bigger than that.

©2003 rod lewis