“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.
What truth from today’s devotional is God using to encourage your heart? Share your reflection and join our conversation in the iBelieve Truth Devotional Forum.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/miljko
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Sarah Walton is an author, wife, and mom of four whose family has faced chronic illness, a son with severe behavioral episodes, and years of uncertainty without answers. In this conversation, Sarah talks about what it looked like to survive the hardest seasons of motherhood and how her faith carried her through.
She shares how she learned to grieve her expectations, hold hope and acceptance together, and find small joys when everything felt dark. She also offers practical words for how to support a friend who is suffering — and what not to say. Her new book is "Jesus Will Meet You There." If you like what you hear, be sure to follow The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Saturday, 04 July 2026.
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