Working Out Salvation - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12)
1. Initiated by God through His Son
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.” (v.1)
“through Lord Jesus” (v.2 b)
“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1:10)
“Who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” (5:10)
“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Romans 5:9)
Justification
2. Working out through the Holy Spirit
“Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” (v.8)
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to obey my rules.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)
Reborn – ‘regenerare’
3. Examined by God through our everyday life
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor.” (v.3-4)
“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” (v.9)
“And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” (v.11-12)
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
