THE SALVATION OF LOST SINNERS

"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."—Philippians 2:12 [KJV]

The salvation of lost sinners, from first to last, is all of grace, not of works—Romans 11:16. It was planned in the covenant of grace; by the grace of Jesus it is FINISHED. The moment we believe on Jesus, salvation is ours; it is OUR OWN SALVATION. Mind that. Why are we called to work it out? Consider, salvation implies deliverance from dangers and enemies. Are we not surrounded with these, without as well as within? 

The legality of our spirits, the pride of our natures, the lusts of the flesh, the carnal reasonings of our minds, unbelief of the offspring of them, the rebellion of our wills, the self-righteousness of our hearts, the worldly mindedness of our desires, the carnality of our affections, the turbulency of our passions, etc., say, are not these like a legion of enemies to our salvation? Is not Satan, our grand adversary, ever working by means of these enemies to bring us into dangers and distress, if by any means he may prevent our peaceably possessing, and eternally enjoying salvation? 

Judge then, O believer, is not deliverance from danger through these enemies needful? Is there not a necessity for thy working out thy deliverance from their force and fraud? Is there not need for faith to work by love, striving against sin, resisting Satan, mortifying the flesh, perfecting holiness, fruitful in good works? The commands of thy God make the work of faith, the labour of love, and the patience of hope necessary. The gospel requires, love constrains to be much in prayer and meditation, searching the scriptures, and in all holy ordinances; and to encourage to this, ever remember, it is "God who worketh in us both to will and to do." 

"Be strong, for I am with you," saith the Lord of hosts.—Haggai 2:4. Does all thy happiness consist in the comfortable enjoyment of the full assurance of this salvation? Then "work it out with fear and trembling." FEAR to think of establishing thy works and duties as thine own righteousness, or to procure the favor of thy God. TREMBLE to entertain any hope of salvation, but by the atoning blood of Jesus, and the perfect righteousness of Jesus; any way of access to God, but through His mediation. 

Fear and tremble, above all, after thou hast done all, to think I am PERFECT. Know, thou art still "an unprofitable servant." TREMBLE to entertain the least notion that thy might, thy power, thy faithfulness, hath wrought anything as terms and conditions to procure salvation. FEAR ever to ascribe any glory to thyself. "Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."— James 1:25.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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