Phil2: 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, NIV
Oftentimes, whenever we quote Philippians 2:12 as it relates to proper Christian conduct, some persons accuse that we are advocating salvation by works.
The opening text is very crucial to our understanding of the common salvation we share. It started with "Therefore". As a rule of thumb, whenever you see that word, you need to know what was there before.
Certain line of thoughts and admonition had gone before getting to that point so contextual reading will help us to interpret properly.
From Philipian 1:27, Paul began to give admonition about how to live the christian life: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel".
If you read downward into chapter 2, Paul stressed on living a Christ-like life( godliness), unity and imitating Christ's humility. That's the intention of the writer, Paul.
So when Paul enjoined that we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, it is an admonition to produce the fruit of salvation( godliness, humility and unity) in the way and manner we live.
Whenever this scripture is quoted, some persons are quick to misinterpret our intention to mean, "they are promoting salvation by works." No we are not.
The import of what Paul meant was that we(saved believers) should "work out" what has been "worked into" us. It is not the same as saying "do these to be saved." It would not have been because he was talking to saved persons.
A believer is someone who have the life of God and imbued with the capacity for godliness: "By his divine power, GOD HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIVING A GODLY LIFE. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence."(2 Peter 1:3 NLT).
God's deposit for godly living is in you already. You are a carrier of a different kind of life, eternal life. This is a life that is not patterned after the flesh and mundane affection. Paul is saying God has worked this life into you, just work it out.
The Christian life is not on auto pilot. God has played His part, it is your turn to play your own part. God didn't create man to be a robot that has to be controlled electronically.
There's a "doing" of righteousness expected of believers. The grace "to do" has been released already, take advantage of it: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, TEACHING us that, DENYING UNGODLINESS and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;", Titus2:11-12.
Father, I receive the grace to work out what has been worked into me in Jesus name