“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

The charge to work out our own salvation would be a depressing one if it were not for the Divine component. The scripture is replete with assertions that salvation is not reached without God’s power. Unless God works in us we cannot reach the goal.

But how does God work in us toward our salvation? Paul gives explanation in his epistle to the Thessalonians – “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

God works in us toward our salvation through His word. It is His power to salvation (cf. Romans 1:16). In it we are given incentive to work toward salvation – “to will” – and we are given the way to follow – “to do.” For this reason, we must “[hold] fast the word of life” (Philippians 2:16)!

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