Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV

Salvation cannot be earned by works. Yet, the Scripture teaches us to “workout” our own salvation. Salvation is a gift given by God’s grace that we respond to through faith (Eph. 2:8). To “workout” our own salvation is to obey and produce our own fruit of faith. Every time we obey God’s word, regardless how big or small the matter, we are working out our salvation. The same God who saves us by grace also energizes us to do the work. “God who works in you” is energy that He affords us to produce fruit in life (Eph. 1:19).

Since energy to produce comes from God, who saved us by grace, doesn’t it stands to reason that He has every right to expect us “to will and do of His good pleasure”?  Our source of energy is supernaturally supplied (see Phil. 1:19). “To will” is to allow God to live inside us to help us. We are not left alone in our struggles of life (John 14:16-17). And, “to do of His good pleasure” is God giving us power to obey to His satisfaction and delight (Eph. 1:5, 9). It is important to point out that, we can unleash or limit God’s energy by our thinking (Eph. 3:20). The Word of God is effectually energized when we believe (1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 16-17). Never stop obeying God’s Word and producing the fruit of faith. “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love” (Heb 6:10).  Obey God’s Word and work it out!