Hi, Friend!
Does Philippians 2:12 mean that you can lose your salvation? No, it
doesn’t. This becomes clear when you consider the immediate context and
the rest of the Bible.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have
always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my
absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, -Philippians 2:12
People with a law-based mindset define “fear and trembling” in its
most negative connotation. They do it to maintain leverage and control.
If a wife fears her husband’s sin, she might be tempted to manipulate
him (not in love) by telling him that if he don’t stop sinning, he might
lose his salvation.
But this only sets up a state of constant anxiety. Can Paul be
writing to Christians with such a positive message in Philippians, but
then throw in such a negative statement? Certainly not. The Bible uses
the phrase “fear not” (or “be not afraid”) over 100 times. 1 John 4:18
is against this kind of insecurity.
Matt
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