Philippians 2:12-18 Our salvation in Christ has three dimensions, in other words there are three ways of viewing it. The first is the one that we talk most about and that is the moment we repent of our sins and by faith ask Jesus to come into our lives to be our Savior. At that moment we are completely saved. Acts 16:31 ... "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." Romans 10:9 the if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. The second dimension of salvation is what Philippians 2:12 is talking about when it tells us to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." The context would include both attitudes and actions. Christ Himself becomes the model regarding our attitudes. Philippians 2:5ff According to the 13th verse, God Himself plays an active role in our actions. The "fear and trembling would imply that we need to take our daily walk with God very seriously. The third dimension of our salvation is that fullness that is received when Christ returns for us. Hebrews 9:28 "so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." As we live our lives In this middle phase of our salvation process our goal, desire and effort should be toward avoiding complaining and arguing and striving toward walking blamelessly in a corrupt world; to the end that we shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the Word of life As Kathy Tracolli Sang it several years ago, "Carry your candle, run to the darkness."

Shine Like Stars in the Universe