For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Man, has the Lord proven this to me!! Approximately 6 weeks ago, I composed “Began a Good Work” based on Philippians 1:6 and it definitely approached this verse from a particular direction. Then over the last few days, I have felt led back to this verse again. “He Will Finish What He Started” is the product of my time in meditation during this time. My hope and prayer that they each speak to your heart and spirit and draw you closer to Him and the realization that He is STILL working on you wherever you are and whatever you are going through or have already gone through.
‘For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. ‘ Philippians 1:6
We all know that this thing we call the Christian life is a journey and a process. When we accepted Christ, got saved, or were born again (however you want to say it), our old sin nature was replaced by the Holy Spirit. It is my interpretation and understanding with this and what Jesus death and resurrection did in the heavenlies, we are set free from the law of sin and death.
Meaning sin is no longer inherent. However, as Romans 12:2 among other passages state we must renew our minds. THIS is the journey and process that marks the Christian life. This is the “Good work” that He has begun in us.
Sadly, for some of us, this journey and process is made more difficult not only by our past choices and behaviors, but by those of others and what they have done to us. However, what does this verse promise us? We can be confident and assured that our God and loving Father is faithful and He WILL continue to work in and through us until we are complete, mature and whole in Him or we are with Him at the end of the age, whichever comes first.
So my dear friends, wherever you are at this very moment on this journey, whatever He is doing at this time in this process, you can trust and know without a doubt that He SEES where you are, He is PRESENT where you are, and He is WORKING where are even if you yourself can’t see it or feel it.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
SO, SINCE YOU AREN’T PERFECT AND YOU AREN’T IN HEAVEN THEN HE IS WORKING IN YOU.
PDF Version of “Began a Good Work”
‘For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. ‘ Philippians 1:6 NASB
‘I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]. [Rom 14:10] ‘ Philippians 1:6 AMP
As I consider this verse and its message, I have realized that He began the “good work” within us, long before we even recognized Him for who He was. The “good work” began with Him calling each of us, wooing us to Himself by the Holy Spirit before we even called upon His name. This verse is a declaration and a promise that the work that He started then He will continue to its competition whether that is the end of our days in this world or His soon and coming return.
So what is this “good work” that He is working to complete?
For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29
Simply, the “good work” is transforming us into His image. As we know He knows the beginning, and he handpicked each one of us, gave each unique and special, gifts, talents and character traits because He chose each of us for a specific calling and purpose. He began that work the moment that we entered this world and drew our first breath. With each and every breath that we have taken since, He has been at work in us and in the orchestration of the circumstances around us to mold and shape us into that calling and purpose. When we walk in that which He preordained for us, we are a reflection of Jesus and the truth, grace and love of the Father revealed to those in our world. As a dear friend and sister used to say, “We are Jesus with skin on.”
One final thought – “you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus”
Most translations and versions of this verse simply say “complete it.” However, as taken from the Amplified, the above is closer to the meaning from the original language. This transformation is a process that He is faithful to continue working on throughout our lives until one of things are true – We are made perfect like Him, there is no longer breath in our lungs, or we meet Him in the air when He returns.
So, if you are still reading this, then I can assure you that none of the above are true and He is still working on you.
Now that I think of it, if we are still “a work in progress” then while our goal and aim should be to live lives that are “holy because I am holy,” we must also give ourselves and others GRACE when we miss the mark. However, when we do we quickly and humbly seek His forgiveness and repent from the behavior.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9