Philippians 2:12-13 has caused many headaches over the years as people wrestle with what it means to work out your salvation, usually because we place too great an emphasis on what we must do as opposed to resting in the work God does on our behalf. We must learn how to be willing participants in this process instead of trying to take it on by ourselves. In doing so, God works in us, allowing us to be the people He wants us to be: light-bearers who illuminate the Gospel of Christ for the world to see.