Confusing Verses

Salvation is a gift from God.  Ephesians 2:8 makes this clear as it says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not your own doing; it is the gift of God."  The word from Ephesians is like bedrock.  What creates a bit of confusion for some is Philippians 2:12 which reads, "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..." How can salvation be a gift and something we are called to work out?  While no analogy is going to be perfect, is it not true that some are born with bodies built for running and some seem to have a natural ability to hear music and play music?  Is it not also true that those so gifted still must work and train so that their skills carry them past mediocrity to excellence?  

Salvation is a gift that opens the door to our finding and knowing once again our true self.  It must not come all at once since Jesus calls the imperfect ones we are to "be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48).  The Apostle Paul was surely gifted with salvation understood that the the moment of gifting grace led to more, "I do not consider that I have made it on my own...I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 3:13-14).  

The Spirit of God is about His work in our heart even as we are called to be at work as well.  Sanctifying grace does not come in a moment, but over a life time.  The work of the early church after the Day of Pentecost is framed inside Acts 2:42.  "They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers."  With these four disciplines these newly gifted disciples of Jesus began working out their salvation.  Disciplines have no saving power, but they do prepare us for what God wants to do in and through our life.