“Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling Before Him”
In the truest sense, we cannot work out our own salvation. We cannot save ourselves any more than we can create ourselves. Creation and redemption are the works of a God; they are not within our own mortal domain. The works we perform-receiving the ordinances of salvation, operating and functioning in the Church and kingdom, performing deeds of service and acts of Christian kindness-in the ultimate sense cannot save us. They are necessary but insufficient. On the other hand, when we have been changed and renewed through the Holy Ghost, when our hearts have been remade through the merits and mercy of our Lord and Savior, then the works of righteousness flow from a regenerate soul. Our works are then his works. They are motivated and empowered by him. The Apostle Paul wrote: “Wherefore, my beloved ... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” And now note how and from whence such works arise: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13, italics added.)
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