“I am working out my salvation”
How do you “work on” your salvation? Salvation is what Christ died for, you can neither deserve it nor do enough good works to earn it. You claim it through proclaiming Jesus as your Lord and Savior and then following His teachings, period.
and I have the hope of my salvation before me," I replied, aware of how often this question was used on Catholics by "Bible Christians" like Richard.How do you “work on” your salvation? Salvation is what Christ died for, you can neither deserve it nor do enough good works to earn it. You claim it through proclaiming Jesus as your Lord and Savior and then following His teachings, period.
Once saved, always saved? Is that what you are saying?
The inspired words of St. Paul contradict you. Incidentally, following the teachings of Christ requires actually walking the walk not simply talking the talk.
"Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence,) with fear and trembling work out your salvation." Philippians 2:12
You misquote - NYer was quoting St. Paul. Philippians 2:12-13: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in you."
Phil 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Hmmm...sounds suspiciously like works to me. :-)