“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
Today we do not hear much about our salvation in Christ being lived out and worked out in fear and trembling.
Do we no longer tremble before God as we ponder what we know about God?
Have we lost our fear of God?
That man on the cross asked the other man on the cross, (the one over on the other side of Jesus), “Do you not fear God?” (since you are under the same sentence of condemnation)
Both criminals were hours if not only minutes from death and then God’s judgement.
When that man said, “…since you are under the same sentence of condemnation.” He had recognized that he was under that same sentence of condemnation, but I no longer think that he was speaking about the Roman justice that had placed them on their crosses.
This is what Paul wrote to tell us, “And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgement.” (Hebrews 9:27)
That criminal had realized the same sentence of condemnation was for his life of sin, and the condemnation they were about to receive from God. That man asked Jesus for mercy, and Jesus gave it to him.
How often do we think about our own pending judgement that shall follow after our own death?
Both cannot be avoided, and I am terrified knowing I shall face this judgement from God.
But we are not without hope, because Paul explains to us, “…Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly awaiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:28)
How many of us today are eagerly waiting for Christ to appear this second time to save us?
Many no longer believe that Christ shall return, but today we may well be living in the days Jesus spoke of, “…as it was in the days of Noah…”
Jesus himself said he shall return on a day that only the Father knows, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”
(Matthew 24:36)
Today, do we regard our salvation in and through Christ (if we do indeed have it) as a great mercy given to us at great cost?
Or do we live (as many are being misled to believe) and regard our belief more like a one-time vaccination or an insurance policy… just in case?
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize Christ is in you? Unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”
(2nd Corinthians 13:5)
Every day I struggle with this.
The Oddblock Station Agent
110 January 13 2026
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