Actually, there is a point at which those who have heard and believed are requested to assume the working out of their own Salvation, with fear and trembling, rather than to second guess and speculate upon the sincerity of belief among their already confessed brethren who profess Christ... and Him crucified.
We must work out the practical implications of our salvation because God Himself is working in our midst.
"You Philippians also know that at the first preaching of the gospel, when I left the province of Macedonia to spread the Good News, you were the only church to share with me; You gave me what I needed, and you received what I gave you" (Philippians 4:15).
To understand this text, we must take note of the context and of several facts brought out by the Greek text. In the flow of thought, these verses introduce the conclusion of an appeal for unity that began in 1:27 and runs through 2:18. “So then” (2:12) in Greek indicates a conclusion from what precedes. Also, all of the words used here are plurals in Greek.
Paul is not telling individual Christians to individually work out their personal salvation, as is often taught. Rather, he is appealing to the church, based on the example of humility seen in Jesus Christ, to work out the practical implications of their salvation in their relationships with one another. Because God Himself is at work in their midst as a church, they need to lay aside personal rights and humbly serve one another, putting others ahead of self. In so doing, they will stand out as lights in this dark, selfish world (2:15).
The Bible teaches that God is absolutely sovereign and yet we are responsible. The scale tilts mightily in the direction of God’s sovereignty, since He initiates, sustains, and brings His whole plan to completion; even so, we have a responsibility for an even bigger problem than the analysis of those Christians who have received Christ, and that is the not yet heard truth, the "good news," i.e., the beautiful gospel of Jesus Christ that is not being spread by thousands, - multitudes of Christians even, who are Biblically commanded to share it with all the world.
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation (πάσῃ τῇ κτίσει)" (Mark 16:15).
You can't call on unbelievers to work out their salvation; a salvation they don't have. The Philippians were Christians, and the fruit of their Christianity was that they were living in obedience. The mark of a true Christian is a life of obedience, recognizable by their humility, and self sacrificial generosity.
Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
Our works are not decisive in our own salvation. They are, however, self-evidence of God's saving work in us.
Parky60 wrote:
The only problem is there are far too many that think that they're good with the Lord and they aren't.
[Jesus said:] "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'" Matthew 7: 21-23 (NASB)
The only problem is there are far too many that th... (
show quote)