12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed (not only in my presence but now much more in my absence), keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 because God Himself is the One at work in you, both to will and to produce,*Paul places our responsibility and God’s sovereignty side by side; we must consciously cooperate with Him. for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or arguing,*When we grumble or argue we are rejecting the Holy Spirit’s control, and the result is not purity. 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and depraved generation,*Can there be any doubt that our generation is crooked and depraved? And it is not getting any better. among whom you shine as light bearers in the world,*As we both live out and actively promote biblical values, the "Word of Life", we will stand out like a bright torch at night. The darker it is, the farther any light can be seen. 16 holding fast the Word of Life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I did not run in vain nor labor for nothing.*At the Accounting, one measure of our success will be the extent to which others bought into our commitment.