Evening journal., 1908-03-14

Paul is sending a message to the church
at Philippi the birthplace of European
Christianity. He emphasizes "Your Own
Salvation" He is writing 70 those in
whose hearts the work Of grace has been
begun, for in the beginning of the epistle
he writes, Being confident Of this very
thing, that he which hath begun a good
work In you win perform It until the day
Of Jesus Christ" The work had been
begun in them. But the apostle wishes
to remind them that salvation begun is
not salvation finished. and so he adds
this word Of exhortation. Work out your
own salvation with fear and trembling"
The revised version reads, Garry out
your own salvation"
The work Is to be carried forward. A
child has physical life. but It must have
nourlshment and exercise. Without :ood
It would die, and without exercise Il
could not develop And the nourishment
and exercise we had yesterday are not
sufficient for to-day. Daily we are work.
ing out our physical salvation. To de-
velop the spiritual life the apostle ex-
horts Timothy to exercise himself unto
godliness."
The young convert is only a babe in
Christ He must grow In grace and In
the knowledge OF our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. with many the Bible is
neglected. No one can be strong who
does not feed upon the meat Of the Cos
pei There must also be much commun-
ion with God in prayer. The men Of
strength have been men OF prayer. We
need all the means Of grace. Then there
is work to be done. We are not TO lie
down behind the breastworlSs and sing,
Hold the fort, for I am coming"
Some may say. Since God. who has be-
gun the work in us is able to finish IT,
why should we fear7
We answer, Because the issue is so i'm
portant mans liability to sin is so great
and the powers OF darkness are so ma
lignant.
A great surgeon has a most delicate
operation 70 perform. He knows the anat-
omy OF the body. but the possibility Of
losing the patient makes his heart fear
and his spirit tremble, even though he
may not betray II by word or act. The
Importance Of mans salvation and the
danger OF being led astray should make
us watchful and powerful. So momen-
tous are the issues involved that a
thoughtful soul cannot fail to tremble
Let us. therefore fear, lest a promise
being left us Of entering into his rest, any
OF you should seem to come too short
Of It. Heb. 4; /.
The apostle now encourages them to
work out their salvation For II Is God
which worketh in you both to win and
to do Of his good pleasure" Gods spirit
working in the heart of man makes him
willing and able to do what is right. We
owe both the will to do good and the
power to do good to the Spirit OF God
working in US. without this help we
could do nothing; and vet God does not
destroy our freedom. Possession OF
power does not necessitate its rise. Mans
salvation can only be achieved by the
cooperation Of the human and Divine
agents.
The farmer plows the field and sows
the seed, and why? Because God sends
the rain and sunshine and duickens the
grain. The farmer cannot do much. but
he has HIS part to perform. Work out
your own salvation" says the apostle.
We have this encouragement to work.
''For II is God who worketh in us. both
to will and TO do Of His own good pleas
ure." We must do our part and God will
cooperate with US and success is as
sured.