The Proclaimer

Working Out Our Salvation

The fact that obedience to the will of God is essential to salvation should be obvious to all, even to those that reject its necessity.  Peter makes it plain that we purify our souls through our “obedience to the truth” (1 Peter 1:22).  And the Hebrew writer says, “He became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9). Hence, God commands those that believe to “repent, and . . . be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).  Baptism, however, is not the end of obedience, but the beginning of a life that is in constant subjection to the will of the Father.  Therefore, James writes, “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21), such “receiving” being accomplished only through our obedience (v. 22).

When Paul writes to the Philippians to “work out their own salvation” (Phil. 2:12), he speaks of their continued obedience to the word of God.  When they obeyed it was “God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).  Their obedience was not to be done in Paul’s “presence only, but now much more in my absence” (v. 12).  And so, obedience to God’s word is clearly essential to one’s salvation.  “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

But obedience is not all that is required of the child of God, for Paul says, “Do all things without murmurings and questionings” (Phil. 2:14).  “Murmurings” are expressions of displeasure, dissatisfaction or discontent.  TheNKJV renders the word “questionings” as “disputing.”  I do not think Paul has in mind here disputes between brethren, but rather speaks of the Christian’s attitude toward God.  “Questionings,” like “murmurings,” is an expression that indicates dissatisfaction with God’s instruction.  It is that which eventually leads to rebellion against what God commands. Certainly this was the case with the Israelites as they murmured against God in the wilderness (see Exodus 16:7-12), and entered not into the promised land because of their disobedience (Heb. 3:18).

When Paul says we are to obey “without murmurings and questionings” he implies that we are to obey with a cheerful and willing mind and heart.  Our obedience should be the expression and completion of a faith that has absolute and unqualified confidence in the God that instructs us.  There is, therefore, no room for disputing or questioning what God commands.  Neither are we dissatisfied with His instruction even if we do not understand it fully or find it inconvenient.                                                    

Paul tells us why we are to obey without murmuring and questioning, “that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God . . . seen as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life” (Phil. 2:15, 16).  You cannot let your light shine (Matt. 5:16), if your obedience is rendered with an improper attitude.  The influence of our obedience is nullified if we appear dissatisfied with God’s instruction, are constantly complaining because we are inconvenienced or give the impression that we wish we didn’t have to do what God commands.

God needs our light to shine.  The influence of a life of obedience is crucial if we are to reach the lost with the gospel. But if we are to be seen as “lights in the world,” our obedience must be rendered from a heart that loves the Lord (Rom. 6:17; John 14:15). 

                                                                                         -- Clark Dugger

The Proclaimer