Work Out Your Own Salvation 

By Hunter Grills

January 20, 2026

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

As the New Year is upon us, many people will visit the gym or create new habits for workouts. In Philippians 2:12, the phrase “work out your own salvation” is used. This verse is often taken out of context by those suggesting a lost sinner must work to become a child of God. Just like a physical workout, we do not work out to create a body, but rather we work out to become stronger in the body we occupy.

Working out our own salvation is not for the purpose of obtaining salvation from sin. Rather, working out our own salvation focuses on growing in our relationship with our Saviour.

What a joy to know that salvation is not something I must work to obtain or keep! The gift of salvation has given me a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in which He has done the complete work while He is still working on me. 

Hebrews 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection—The will of God is not perfected in us by our own works and efforts—as it can only be perfected in us by God Himself.