Does "working out our salvation" mean we are saved but still dealing with our flesh?

In the grace dispensation today, a believer's salvation is established in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. In other words, Jesus has done everything necessary to redeem you. There is absolutely zero more works necessary that you still need to do in order to be saved. There is no need for you to earn salvation! It is a gift, freely given by God to those who would choose to simply receive it. This is God's utter grace poured out over you in Christ.

Eph.2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Once we have responded to the grace gospel, we are eternally saved. The Holy Spirit, at the moment of our salvation, seals us for that day when Christ returns. Nothing can change that! Once sealed by the Holy Spirit, you are eternally identified as God's child.

So, this brings us to the working out of our salvation. 

As mentioned above, it has NOTHING to do with our eternal salvation. The working out of our salvation is basically the actions we take in our daily walk as a Christian, to be renewed in our mind by the Word of God, learning and living the Word, trusting Christ as He leads us on a path towards ever increasing purity in our character; giving ourselves over to the inward workings of the Holy Spirit, turning to practical (sacrificial) love and service in the Body of Christ. Practical sanctification is growing in a daily progressive process, maintained by a close relationship and submission to His indwelling Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 ... 7 For God did not call us unto uncleanness [impurity], but unto holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

There is a quote I once read that goes as follows: "The Christian life will not operate on the basis of ignorance!" With this said, practical sanctification will increase by the measure that we prayerfully study, meditate and practice God's Word.

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In summary, we are forever saved in spirit and for eternity, but while we still dwell on the earth, and while sin is still tempting and deceiving and weakening us, the work we put into combatting the sin nature is in essence the "working out of our salvation". The works we do, the responsibility we take, to renewing our mind with the Word, developing good habits and cutting from bad habits, choosing to grow in good character values (Gal.5:22-23) and fellowshipping with others, growing in the faith, —these are all 'works' we can do, not for salvation (which is already settled in God), but to honour God. The Word says that love compels us. It is these acts of honour and respect for God that will be converted into rewards for us at the Bema Seat of Christ. Our faithfulness to Him in this life is graciously rewarded (1 Cor.3) when we get to heaven.

Hope this helps you understand that phrase.

God bless.

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COMMENTS

Question:

How do you explain away these Scriptures?

• "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries." Hebrews‬ 10:26-27‬ NASB1995‬‬

• "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons," 1 Timothy‬ 4:1‬ NASB1995‬‬

• "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness," 2 Peter‬ 3:17‬ NASB1995‬‬

Answer:

These scriptures do add confusion to the topic if one does not apply correct division to the Word, dividing doctrine between the Body of Christ who belong to the grace program (saved by the grace gospel) today (to whom I reference in the post we are discussing), and the saints who belong to the Kingdom program (saved by the Kingdom gospel in the 1st century and in the tribulation).

Both the book of Hebrews and the epistle of Peter are specifically written to believers in the tribulation. (Remember the writers of these two books were expecting the tribulation in their lifetimes, not knowing that it would be delayed for 2000 years). Nevertheless, the information in these two books are relevant and specific to those passing through the 7-year tribulation period.

Similarly, although Paul's epistles are written for us, the Body of Christ, in this grace dispensation, he specifically references the "latter times" in the verse you quote, which is a reference to the tribulation.

So, the verses all have commonality in that they are applicable to the tribulation period where saints have to 'endure to the end', or lose their salvation. This is very possible in the tribulation because if they do not hold firmly to their faith they would inevitable surrender to the Antichrist. Allegiance to the Antichrist is selling your soul to the devil. Prophecy is clear that if you take the mark of the beast you are eternally lost. Those that hold on to the end (or get killed for their faith) will inherit the Millennial Kingdom.

Now, all of what I mentioned here is part of the Kingdom program. We, who belong to the grace program do not need to (literally) endure to the end. We are never instructed to endure, but to wait for the appearing of our Lord and Saviour. There is no sin or no scenario that can separate us from the love of God in Christ. We are eternally sealed by the Holy Spirit who guarantees our salvation. Also, any other view that says that we, who are under God's unconditional grace, can lose our salvation, is devaluing or reducing the power of the cross and the forgiveness it holds. The blood of Christ is far greater than the sin it covers. However, all these details change again when the tribulation starts again. Why? Because the tribulation ends the grace dispensation and the kingdom dispensation is revived, reactivating the kingdom gospel, which will again require works for salvation; —believing that Jesus is the Christ, getting baptized in water and spirit, picking up your cross, and enduring to the end.

Understanding right division of scripture is critical to be able to interpret scripture correctly and in the proper context.

I hope this provides a bit more clarity in regards to explaining the context of these three scripture passages.