Work out your salvation.

     Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in His sight.
     -2 Peter 3:14 (ASV)

     Now unto Him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of His glory without blemish in exceeding  joy,
     -Jude 24 (ASV)

     So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for His good pleasure.
     Philippians 2:12,13 (ASV)

     We have been called to live lives of holiness, lives that reflect the very character of Christ. At one time we all walked in rebellion against God, spiritually dead, our hearts and lives stained with sin. through repentance toward God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and made new.
     We are called to walk in newness of life. Many people think that salvation means we can live however we please without incurring God's wrath. In reality, salvation is a life changing experience. The very Spirit of God takes possession of our hearts, and begins to direct our lives. It is up to us to walk by the Spirit, following Him in obedience to His leading. The Holy Spirit will always lead us in the truth of God's word. As we allow Him to lead us, we will become more Christ-like in our lives. We are to be diligent. This means that we take great care, make every effort, to live our lives in a way that pleases Christ. There is no room for a half hearted commitment, we must be serious with God.
     When we are dirty we take a shower and get cleaned up. Now we want to stay clean so we try not to get dirty right away. In a similar way we are cleansed by the blood of Christ. God desires us to be clean, pure in heart. It is His will for us to live our lives in conformity to His will. He does not want us to plunge back into the sinful lives that He just cleansed us from. He leads us, we follow and obey. He supplies all that we need to walk in holiness before Him. It is up to us to step out in obedient faith. The grace of God will never lead us where the grace of God cannot keep us.