Working Out My Own Salvation | Lent Devotional Day 39

Exploring the Meaning of Jesus’ Death
March 28, 2026
Written by: Susan Meister

Working Out My Own Salvation

Scripture:

12 Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more while I am away, carry out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes.

Philippians 2:12-13

Reflection:

I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church in central Illinois - grade school, high school, confirmation, weekly Mass, the Saints, weekly confession, the Catechism - the whole package. Like many others in my cohort, I stopped church once I left for University. In the 1990s, I moved back to the Midwest and reconnected to my husband (it’s a long story). We had known each other in college and gone our separate ways for nearly 20 years. In that span, Peter had attended seminary and been ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church.

When he and I decided to marry, I thought I had hit the jackpot. While I had infrequently started attending church again, I thought he could get me where I needed to be spiritually with all his seminary training!  I didn’t know much about Methodists, but my first impressions were positive - they ordained women and had open communion.

Over the past 30+ years, I have been deeply involved in the details as a pastor’s spouse. I helped lead worship, choir and Bible studies. I eventually worked for the Illinois Conference, the General Board of Global Ministries and UMCOR. I was steeped in the mechanics and polity of the church.

But mechanics don’t guarantee a relationship with Jesus. Nor does being married to an ordained pastor assure my spiritual growth.

I eventually learned more about John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. I discovered his sermon, The Most Excellent Way, preached in 1741. An excerpt of Sermon 85, On Working Out Our Own Salvation, examines the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the people of Philippi nearly 2000 years ago.* The sermon is a powerful series of arguments for our personal responsibility!

As we have moved through this Lenten season with powerful messages on Why Did Jesus Have to Die?, I’ve been reminded again and again that I need to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling. The theories of atonement are so challenging! And while my spouse and I discuss and sometimes argue about theology, I need to go deeply into my own head and heart spaces to see what God is saying to me during my reading, praying and worship.

One of the beauties of The United Methodist Church is her encouragement to think for ourselves and work out our own salvation. We don’t need to check our brains at the door of the worship space. We need to individually access the love, mercy and grace of God to lead us on our personal journey and our relationships with those around us.

Prayer:

Heavenly God, keep reminding me to go deeper every day. When I read, study, meditate and worship, move me to absorb the deep meaning of your love, grace and mercy. I pray that the excitement of being part of The Gathering will not only move me, but encourage me to reach out to others in need of your love. Amen.

**Use this link to read more of Wesley’s Sermon 85 and additional commentary.

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