Wherefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as only in my presence but now much more in my absence, with respect and trembling work out your own salvation. For God is the one working in you also to desire and to work on behalf of the good pleasure (Philippians 2:13–13).
When we believe that Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, we are saved. Although we wait for our full redemption, from the moment we believed, the Holy Spirit washed and regenerated us, making us legitimate children of God who are alive in our spirits to God (Titus 3:4; 1 John 3:9; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:2). Therefore, we now possess all things pertaining to life and godliness.
Working out our salvation is not earning it, for we already possess it. Neither did we gain salvation by works of righteousness which we did; it was by grace through faith. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives a benefit without consideration of merit, and faith is taking God at His word. Rather, working it out is using it through obedience to the words of life.
In Christ, we are free from slavery to the sin nature. Learn to govern your life in freedom from sin. In Christ, we have victory over Satan. Learn to overcome his attacks, standing firm against independence from God, lying, discouragement, bitterness, and all the other methodologies he uses against us. In Christ, we have been crucified to the world. Let us not direct our sacrificial love toward it or its things, knowing that we brought nothing into this world and will take nothing out.
With this mind, let us diligently work out our salvation with respect and trembling toward God, for He is the One who makes it possible for us even to desire to do righteousness.