Workin' it

by Sarah Teichmann
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13 NRSV)

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling?” Hmmm, this text from Paul’s letter to the Philippians sounds like works righteousness, but how can that be? I mean our 16th century friend, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther was all about being saved by grace through faith alone, and this belief gives us Christians the joy of knowing that we do not need to worry about earning our salvation (which we could never do even if we tried). Let’s not forget that Martin Luther loved Paul’s theology, but what goes on here? Is Paul saying to the Philippians that they have to work for their salvation?

Well, taking advice from the 1980’s Jane Fonda exercise tapes, Chuck Norris’ Total Gym commercials, and any Richard Simmons fitness video, we need to exercise our salvation. We have been given a gift of righteousness and salvation by God through Jesus Christ- and there is no way we could have earned this gift regardless of the number of sit-ups, push-ups, and pull-ups we can do. But because we have been given this gift, we are to be like Christ is to the world- humble Christians who do not exploit or abuse power, but offer themselves as servants.

And as servants we are to exercise (imagine Richard Simmons doing jumping jacks right now) the gift God has given us. In fact, God is at work in us right now- making us strong, buff Christians! This work and encouragement, this exercising of our salvation, enables us to focus not on ourselves and our own desires but on the needs and cares of others, to be servants to each other, to offer love and be lights in the world- and to dare to be strong and buff disciples of Jesus Christ.