Fear and Trembling
“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 (ESV)
I have been closely following the online debate between Dr. NT Wright (see my previous post about how theologians are predictable) and Dr. Bert Ehrman. If you have not checked it out yet - I would highly recommend reading through the arguments on both sides and deciding which side you line up on, or if you agree with either on the subject of God’s goodness in allowing suffering in the world. The blog can be found here.
Not knowing much about Dr. Ehrman before now, I have been researching him a bit in my spare time and learning about his background and his theological insights. He is a professor of New Testament studies at UNC Chapel Hill, and that being the case I will hopefully be taking quite a few classes from him in the near future. Herein lies my problem, though. Dr. Ehrman went to college a professing christian, and after learning about the difficulties with biblical manuscripts has since denied his faith, now calling himself an agnostic. (For more on biblical manuscript issues, see his book Misquoting Jesus) Now I have no problem taking a biblical based class from someone who is not a professing Christian - indeed they can and do still have impressive academic insights to share, and they are honorable men that I can learn from, but as I thought more and more about this possibility, I was hit with a thought that pops up in my mind quite a bit as I study theology - “What if, a year from now, five years from now, ten years from now, I decide that this is no longer worth it, and walk away from the God I love?”
Now I am not saying that I do not have blessed assurance - indeed I do - but this is a very real fear of mine. I love Christ with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength to the best of my ability. I am a sinner, no doubt, and I deny Christ by sins of omission and commission daily, but I can say that the Holy Spirit is alive in me and Christ is who I aim to satisfy in all that I do. Yet still this fear. What if I fall away? What if I decide that it is just a sham? What if…?
In Philippians 2, Paul urges his Christian brothers and sisters, in view of Christ’s mercy and humility, and in response to the faith that they have been called to, to “work out [their] salvation with fear and trembling”. This is what I am charged with daily. I am required to pick up my cross and follow Christ, leaving everything else behind, and also to work out my salvation in every way possible, because the devil, although restrained from deceiving the nations (see Revelation 20), is yet at work and continually uses my sin as a foothold in my soul, waiting. As it says in Genesis “…sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (4:7b ESV)
We, as Christians, are called to work out our salvation daily with fear and trembling because we do not know when our time is up or what tomorrow will bring. This, dear brother, is your lot in life. Now live it to the full and rest in the love of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the power of the Holy Spirit! Do not be complacent in your accomplishments, for we know that “there is no one who does good, not even one”! Psalm 14:3 (ESV)
Christ came to give life, and give it to the full, so be on guard against the evil one, Christian, and work out your salvation with fear and trembling that when you stand before your father in judgement, and he asks you what you have done to deserve heaven, you may faithfully answer “Nothing, my Lord. I have only put my trust fully in the atoning death of your Son, and I have been made righteous in the light of His sacrifice. I deserve not your favor, Lord, and base all of my hope on the blood of Christ.”
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.” Psalm 130 (ESV)
