More than listening

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, or it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

I was recently talking a dear friend of mine about calvinism versus arminianism and we were trying to look at the scriptures and really come to some sort of conclusion. I dont know why I thought I was gonna find some new conclusion that clears up any confusion. In my past there have been some times when any debate or discussion on some text of scripture has lead to argument and division. I have definitely seen the ugly side of scriptural debates. Many times my friends have ended telling me how I would come to the light one day. Some times they have been right on the mark other times not so much. Either way the discussions haven’t always been the most beneficial.
As I am reading over Philippians I hit the point today of one of my favorite verses. I have always taken this verse to mean my personal salvation. As I read it in context and looked over some commentaries it is interesting to see how this verse really means to work it out among you. I was thinking about my past not so positive experiences. In the recent past though there have been some really neat discussions with brothers in Christ. Paul knew there was importance to talking about my faith in community. Rob Bell makes a good point about the bible being a book to understand among community. This book is meant to be discussed, is meant to be attempted to be understood. The reality though is that this discussion must be worked out with fear and trembling. God is intimidating, almighty, omnipotent, all powerful. As I work out my understanding of salvation with my community of believers I must remember who God is and be in awe and wonder of my salvation. This rings so true as I think about the gospel story, my salvation and my amazing heavenly father. I am left in awe and wonder.
One last word of advice when it comes to working out my salvation within my community “Do everything without complaining or arguing”