#EaglesDevotional - WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling”        

                                                  (Phil. 2:12)

Yesterday, we studied that we need to labour to produce the fruits of the spirit. Another word for labour is ‘to work’. The book of Philippians says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12).

You must work out your salvation with fear and trembling if you must go to heaven.  If you are not ready to work for it, you will not get there.  A mere declaration of your intention to go to heaven will not take you there.

The fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Do you call yourself a Christian and cannot control your temper? Do you physically assault others at the slightest provocation? Fighters will not go to heaven.  Are you a habitual liar?  The Bible says, “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire ...” (Rev. 21:8).

You must practically work out your salvation with trembling and desist from doing evil. Your life should produce the fruits of the spirit. If you do not exhibit these fruits, your Christianity is questionable.

The Bible says, “What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen …” (Mark 12:9).

You risk the destruction of your life if you fail to let it bear fruits.  Notwithstanding, if your life is fruitful, then we will hold hands together and go to heaven.  That is what God and I want for you.

Sometimes you may want to find excuses for some of your weaknesses.  However, the Bible says, “But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Dan. 11:32).

You must know your God and totally depend on Him even when everything seems to be going upside down. In the book of Jeremiah, it is written, “He made many to fall , yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people …” (Jeremiah 46:16).

The Bible here was talking about Pharaoh and how he made the Israelite's or God’s children to fall.  You are where you are today because of satanic workings in the Spirit realm.  Yes, Pharaoh made many to fall.  Notwithstanding, somewhere within that verse some persons found strength – they were those that knew their God – and they said to others, “Arise”. You can still develop virtues acceptable to God.

The fact that you are on the ground does not mean you should remain there.  Speak to yourself and say, “Arise.”  God was not the one that put you in that unpalatable position.  He was not the one that made the competition better than you are.  He did not cause the neglect that you have suffered.  You must say to the devil and your enemies, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemies: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me” (Micah 7:8). 

Prayer/confession: I will work out my salvation with fear and trembling. In Jesus name, I must get to heaven for that is my eternal home.

Further Reading: Daniel 1:32; Phil 2:12-16

Words of wisdom: You must know God and totally depend on Him.

African Broadcasting Network

Eagles Devotional: Ayo Oritsejafor Ministries (Word Alive Publications)

Photo: Word of Life Bible Church