God Began The Good Work... [Philippians 1]

1Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6For 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.

Paul doggedly preached the gospel of Christ wherever he went and encouraged all those who followed Jesus to fearlessly preach that same gospel. However, throughout his numerous letters, Paul also freely admitted that he was weak and relied on the courage, strength and ability of God through the Spirit of Christ to keep him going. In these introductory verses of his letter to the Philippians, he reminded them that God is the One who began the good work in them and that it will be God who "will perfect it until the day of Christ."

In my zeal, I want to grow in the Lord and tell others about our wonderful Jesus, but I forget that it isn't my job...God is the one who began the good work in me and if I am to grow and be useful to Him, it has to be Him who perfects me, too. I have failed so many times to live up to God's standard in my own strength as I try to be the "good Christian." And I continue to fail because I continue to try to do stuff. However, slowly, but surely God is training me to look to Him for guidance in everything, not just he big things. He is the one who lifts my head when my focus is on me and I am working out of my pride. It is God that does all that is good and right as I keep on emptying of me and keep filling up with Him.

We praise You God that You began the good work in us and that you will complete it. Cause us to cooperate with You more and look to You to guide our thoughts, time and works by Your amazing grace.

 

Beth Warlick, 5/15/2009
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