Working out Our Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling

If we are of those who have a relationship with God, having been saved (set free from sin) [video], we must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) because we have a path to make sure we keep walking on faithfully. It's the path to eternal life, also called “the way of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:21). We are on our way to inherit eternal life in the age to come (Luke 18:30), so it’s imperative that we are careful to keep heading that way. Righteousness is the opposite of sin (evil), and the fear of God keeps us away from sin.

“…Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” — Job 28:28

That being said, love is what dominates a person who has a relationship with God and is doing his will rather than rebelling against his righteous and holy ways. Love results in obedience to God (John 14:15, Galatians 5:6). Obedience to God is righteousness. So, a person who is remaining in the love of God (John 15:10) is remaining obedient to God and has nothing to fear (1 John 4:18b), except to fail to love God with all his/her heart, soul, mind and all strength (Mark 12:30).

Wherever obedience to God is lacking or may be lacking, it’s good to have the fear of God. And where obedience to God is not lacking and faithfulness to God is maintained, then love is already triumphing over fear.

See also:
The Fear of God (Two Ways)
Love Out Of A Pure Heart (1 Timothy 1:5)

Image by Hugo Hercer from Pixabay.