Are You Working Out?

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you…” — Philippians 2:12-13

I try to “workout” at least five to six times a week exercising on a treadmill or with weights. Paul said, “Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). Paul was saying, while there is some profit in physical exercise, there is an even bigger benefit in exercising yourself unto godliness. Therefore, it is important to have have regular “spiritual workouts” as well as bodily workouts.

It is important to note that today’s text doesn’t say, “Work FOR your salvation.” Nor does it say, “Work AT your salvation.” Paul is writing to people who are already saved. He is saying they need to “work out” what God is working in their life. That is, they are to put into practice what God has wrought in their salvation.

This involves a certain amount of effort on your part, since you are told to “work.” Bible study, Christian ministry, prayer, soul winning, all require work (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Cor. 16:10; Eph. 2:10; 4:12; Col. 4:12; Titus 2:14; 3:8; Acts 13:2).

Are you “working out” for the Lord? Are you spiritually fit? (Or, spiritually flabby?)