Imagine you are faced with the task of disarming a bomb. Your family is all around you and they are depending on you to get this right. You have the manual and you have the ability to call the bomb squad. There is not enough time for them to get there, but they could advise you on what to do. If you fail and do this wrong not only do you lose your life, but the lives of your family and neighbours as well. The pressure is high and you must get this right. As the sweat runs down your face, the bomb squad telling you what to do as a loved one holds the manual for you to read. You try to keep your hands steady as the fear of getting this wrong is swelling up inside. This is fear and trembling.
Why did I elaborate this so much? Because I want people to truly understand the tail end of Philippians 2:12 KJV work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. This is the part of the verse that most people remember. This alone though when understood correctly can cause people to make sure of their salvation. To truly work it out with fear and trembling. To study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). To understand that Paul was not giving anyone an out. He wasn’t saying that you can do whatever you want because it’s your salvation. No, he was giving a charge to get it right. Remember that by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house (Hebrews 11:7 KJV). He did this by faith with fear and saved his family.
How do you work out your salvation? By prayer, study of the Word and continually seeking after Jesus. I can’t say it better than Peter. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. For if these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately. But concerning the one who lacks such things – he is blind. That is to say, he is nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin. For thus an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be richly provided for you (2 Peter 1:5-11 NET). There is too much to lose to get it wrong, we must get it right.
1 Timothy 4:15-16 WEB 15 Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. 16 Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.