By his example, he taught me more than anyone else the value of cheerfulness in the face of adversity.”
–E.B. Sledge (With the Old Breed)
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.”
–2 Corinthians 10:3 (NIV)
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“Complete the salvation that God has given you with a proper sense of awe and responsibility. For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his purpose.”
–Philippians 2:12-13(Phillips)
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling”–we have looked at several aspects of what that means. It means to fulfill your duty as a Christian, to be diligent in our walk not wavering, and to pick up our cross daily. I want to look at a different aspect this morning. We work out our salvation by living our training, standing firm in every situation, and when others fall, continue to stand.
Barclay reminds us that salvation is of God. He is the One who saves us. The continuance of that process is to be awakened by Him, and without His goodness in our lives sin cannot be conquered; it is God who is at work within us. The end process of salvation is with God as well. We are His and He is ours. “The work of salvation is begun, continued and ended in God.” However, as Barcaly uses the illustration, man may be ill and the doctor prescribes the medicine that will help him, but the man must take them. He can be stubborn and refuse. “No man can ever receive salvation unless he answers God’s appeal and takes what He offers.” Then throughout life there are instructions to be followed, duties to be obeyed, and obligations to be met, thus working out one’s salvation.
This term, “work out,” means to “work in a mine” getting all out of the mine that is possible. It can also mean working in a field to get the greatest harvest possible. As problems come into our lives we have to “work them out.” Warren Wiersbe writes, “Our lives have tremendous potential, like a mine or a field, and He wants to help us fulfill that potential.”
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11, NIV) We work out our own salvation by putting on the armor of God. Notice, we put it on. It is something we do. If we can put it on, we can take it off, or refuse to wear it in the first place. Wearing the armor of God is no easy thing and since it has a military connotation we can expect a battle–to fight. Not only must we put it on, we must put it to use. In my short time in the military and from my studies, I have found out the difference between a warrior and a soldier is that a warrior lives his training.
To be a warrior in any army, but especially in the service of the Lord requires strict discipline and the adherence to a warrior code. Shannon D. French says in her wonderful book, “The Code of a Warrior,” that the code “set boundaries on his behavior. It distinguishes honorable acts from shameful acts… They respect the values of the society in which they were raised and which they are prepared to die to protect.” That is one reason why the Christians of the early church could march into the colosseum singing for they were marching in the army of the Lord. The Christian in his armor understands the “thou shalt nots” of the Ten Commandments. He practices being a good steward with his finances, his time, and most importantly of all, his life.
What happens when the day of evil comes if you don’t have on your armor? If you have laid aside your sword? If you are barefooted? No, part of working out one’s salvation is to be alert and prepared at all times so “after the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13, NIV) Don’t be lax, don’t become a sluggard, but stand your ground, work out your salvation, fight the good fight and recall with the smile of a warrior the words of Paul to Timothy, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (2 Timothy 2:3, NIV)
“And battles sometimes futile seem
Not worth the heavy cost,
But each must stand in his own time
Or see his freedom lost.”
–Andrew H. Hines
Stand your ground. You may not understand the “why” of the battle but you follow orders because you are working out your salvation, and most importantly of all–you know your Commander. We stand against the fiery darts, we stand when the lion roars in our face, we stand when others around us have fallen. Lost? No way, I’m in the King’s Army and my loyalty is to Him and He will provide a way to victory.