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But why "fear and trembling"?

Because Moses did it.

Because John did it.

If even the appearance of angels merits it, how much more God who created those beings!

It is an awesome thing to know that God Himself has taken up residence in your person for salvation, sanctification, justification, and glorification, and that He must do so or else we are lost.

Paul used those words to describe his own ministry

Cr 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

1Cr 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

. I--the preacher: as 1Cr 2:2 describes the subject, "Christ crucified," and 1Cr 2:4 the mode of preaching: "my speech . . . not with enticing words," "but in demonstration of the Spirit."
weakness--personal and bodily ( 2Cr 10:10 12:7, 9 Gal 4:13 ).
trembling--(compare Phl 2:12 ). Not personal fear, but a trembling anxiety to perform a duty; anxious conscientiousness, as proved by the contrast to "eye service" ( Eph 6:5 ) [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].

I remember when I did retreat work , I always came with fear and trembling, not fearful for my salvation... but that I do well and honor God.

You can not pick a scripture out of context and disregard the audience and purpose and use it as a proof text.

Philippians was written to the saved as encouragement and instruction in living a life that testifies to Christ in them

*** But why "fear and trembling"?***

Because of the greatness of the God we serve.

Have you ever stood near a massive waterfall and felt its power shaking the earth and air around you? Did you not feel a certain about of fear to be in the presence of such awesome power, even though from your vantage point you might have been safe?

It is a natural thing to feel fear in the presence of such things. How much more right is it to feel fear in the presence of the one who made those things, who holds the stars themselves in His hand?

Listen to what Peter has to say....

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." - 1st Peter.

We all work out our salvation as we live it out . NO WHERE does Paul say that they are to do this to be saved, but like the letter from James it is a call to live your life so the unsaved can see your faith at work.

But why "fear and trembling"?

Well ... you now live within the spiritual household of God, ... and God is, now, ... your Father.

Those of us who were raised with godly parents know ... there can be (somewhat less than) hell to pay for disobedience.
Hebrews 12: My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

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Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.