Work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). Philippians 2:12 (AMPC)
Have you ever started a project that you didn’t fully complete?
Let’s say a man wants to repaint his car. He gets it primed and all the rust spots covered with reddish paint, but then he stops there and drives it around like that for the next few years. He’s so close to being finished, but he just doesn’t take that one extra step!
Well, the Bible is saying that a lot of Christians haven’t fully completed their salvation. No wonder they struggle! We all need to enthusiastically go after complete salvation.
Now, having to complete your salvation does not mean that you’re not saved enough to get into heaven. It’s not about working to earn your salvation. Remember that your Spirit man has been reborn. You are right with God the moment you accept Christ, and you’re going to heaven when you die. However, salvation refers to more than being saved from hell. It also means to be saved from sickness, poverty and every curse mentioned in Deuteronomy 28.
Complete salvation involves walking out God’s promises and be- coming more like His Son Jesus.
The more you renew your mind to the promises you have in Him, the more joy and wholeness you will experience in your mind, emotions, health and relationships. And the good news is you’re not on your own. Philippians 2:13 makes it clear that this walking out process is not done in your own strength, but it’s the result of letting God work in you.