“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 CSB)
Some of us are much better at starting things than we are at finishing them. I have enough unfinished books on my shelf at home to attest to that fact. Whether it’s a resolution to start a new year, a plan to start exercising or to eat healthier, what starts off well can easily begin to lose momentum or stop altogether.
Is God like that though? Does God ever start something and not finish it?
Sometimes it feels that way, doesn’t it? Particularly when we are going through a difficult season or some painful circumstances, we can start to wonder if perhaps God has checked out on us. Maybe He’s given up on all the good things He was hoping to do in us. Maybe He’s moved on to something or to someone else.
When Paul wrote his letter to the believers in the city of Philippi, the first church he had planted in Europe, he was sitting in chains in prison. This was not a place that someone would want to be. He was separated from those whom he held so dearly in his heart. People were opposing him.
Yet in what could have easily been a set of circumstances that created much discouragement and despair, instead Paul seemed to be overflowing with joy. Even in the opening verses, his prayers for his brothers and sisters in Christ are marked with incredible joy.
One of the reasons why Paul could respond in such a way, despite his circumstances, was because of the conviction he had about what God was doing in his life and in the life of the church at Philippi. “I am sure of this,” he wrote, “that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” There was no doubt in Paul’s mind. What God started He would complete. God’s plans would be fulfilled. His purposes would prevail. Paul was convinced of that fact.
Paul’s example serves as a great encouragement to us. No matter what happens in our lives, no matter how hard it might get, we can rest assured knowing that God is not finished with us yet. If you have truly put your faith in Jesus Christ and all that He has done for you, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph.1:13). God is at work in your life right now to transform you by His Spirit into who He has called you to be.
No trial, no measure of doubt, no bad decision on your part is going to cause God to stop what He is doing or to turn His back on you. He’s not going to give up. He is guaranteed to finish the work that He has started in you. Like Paul, this is a reason for joy today!
