“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” - Philippians 1:6
What does this verse mean? What “good work” did God start in me? And how will it be brought to completion?
It’s neat to see the apostle Paul’s love and affection for the churches he has planted. In verses 3-5, Paul tells this church that he is constantly praying for them and that they bring him joy. Then, in verse 6, he gives them this great assurance and encouragement.
God began the work of salvation and sanctification in you. Salvation is the act of being saved from the wrath of God, eternal death, and the power of sin. Salvation is by the work of Christ alone. It comes to us through faith alone by grace alone. The moment we repent and trust in Jesus, we are saved! But we don’t find the perfection and completion of this work until that salvation is fully realized in death or Christ’s second coming.
Sanctification is the act of being transformed by the Holy Spirit to live, act, and think more like Jesus Christ. We were made in God’s image. But sin has marred that image. Jesus Christ is THE image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). By the Holy Spirit, we are transformed to look more like the perfect image of God, Jesus Christ. This finds its completion in our death or in Christ’s return as we are freed from the presence of sin and restored back to the image of God we were created to be.
Paul encourages us with this great promise! The job that God started in you, he will finish! He will hold you to the end. I hope that encourages you today. What God started in you he will finish. In times of sin, doubt, fear, anxiety, unbelief, suffering, sickness, loss – Jesus Christ will hold you fast to the end. He will bring to completion the good work that he started in you.
Jude 24-25 says it this way:
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
I’ll finish by sharing the words to Matt Merker’s wonderful, modern rendition of a century-old hymn originally written Ada Habershon.
“When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;
For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.
Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;
Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.
He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;
Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.
For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;
Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.
Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
'Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!
He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast.”
Pastor Brenton