Today's readings are Psalm 58:1-8, 2 Kings 9:1-13, 10:18-29, and Philippians 2:12-30.
Our passage from Philippians 2 is often troublesome. Just how do we "work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling" (ESV)? Does this mean we must do something to earn our salvation? Does it mean that we are in danger of losing our salvation? Not at all, on either count.
We work out our salvation by continuing to trust in God, seeing how he is working in us. Why does this cause fear and trembling? Because God is the kind of God who inspires such a reaction. In light of God's mercy in Christ Jesus we are humbled. We see that we are proud and arrogant, but without cause, for we are sinners. We see that our Lord has clothed us with his righteousness. We then forfeit all claims to our own righteousness. Confessing that we are unworthy. Then we watch as our Lord exalts us as kings and priests. Yes, this rightly inspires fear and trembling. Thanks be to the God of all glory.
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