“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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV).
My husband and I have always tried our best to instill good manners and high expectations of obedience in our sons. “I obey right away” is a common phrase we hear in our home. Children should obey their parents because it is the right thing to do, as it pleases the Lord, as Colossians 3:20 and Ephesians 6:1 tell us. Sometimes, as adults, we seem to think we are off the hook of the “I obey right away” mentality. But as children of God, this expectation remains throughout our lives. Obedience can often seem like a chore or a burden, but it is truly the mark of a mature Christian.
Your growth in Christ depends greatly on your commitment to think, worship, and work rightly. God wants us to learn to obey Him, but we must remember that obedience is the fruit of salvation, not its root. Our good works will never earn right standing before God; Apart from our faith in the finished work of Christ, our righteous deeds will always fall short of God’s holiness (Isaiah 64:6). But just because we will fall short of God’s holiness does not mean that He hasn’t called us to be holy just as He is holy. But how does that work?
This process of continuing to grow in Christ and walk in obedience is called sanctification; It is the Christian’s growth in grace to become more Christ-like day by day. Since God has deposited salvation in us, we must cooperate with God to work it out, bringing it into fullness and completion through sustained effort and diligence, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul shares with the Philippian church that it isn’t enough to proclaim your salvation, but as believers, we should see it worked out in our lives, bearing fruit for all to see:
“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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV).
God gives us His grace and His Spirit, so we do not have to walk out this calling alone or powerless. Even though we are partnering with God in our sanctification, ultimately, He is the one who is doing the work in us- transforming our old ways and conforming us to look more like Christ. Your attitude towards God is essential for growth and godliness. We must understand that He is sovereign and in control, not us. It’s out of a heart of love for Him that we serve Him. It’s not about “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps,” but your good works flow from a heart of worship unto the Lord. We do not tremble because we will lose our salvation (John 10:29).
Your dependence upon the Lord, which is not passive but an active cooperation between you and God, empowers your obedience and develops your sanctification all for God’s glory. God desires a relationship with you and is pleased with your obedience because you are His child and because you care to walk in His ways.
Delayed obedience is still disobedience. Just as God commands children to obey their parents, He commands His children to obey Him. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling because we fear the Lord. Since that fear is the beginning of wisdom, He will help you make wise decisions that honor and please Him above all. We cannot obey in our own strength; we need God’s grace and the Holy Spirit to empower us to obey. We must rest in God and trust that He is working in our regenerated hearts. We do not have to see obedience as a chore or burden; The Lord can help us see it as a delight as we lean upon His grace and Spirit to see our salvation bear lasting fruit for His glory.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/miljko
Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3
In this episode of The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Wednesday, 08 April 2026.
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