Unfinished Business: His Life in You part 1

On Fridays, we're going to be taking a look at Paul's letter to the Philippians. 

This letter is interesting in that, unlike his other pastoral letters, Paul really doesn't have anything critical to say about the church. Instead, he expresses his gratitude and love for them, and jumps into how they can live for Christ out of the forgiveness He has given them.

The verse I want us to see is verse 6 of chapter 1. Indeed, it is a very familiar verse that is dear to any believers' hearts. It's as good as it sounds.

Let's back up to verse 3 to begin:

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. - Philippians 1:3-6 NKJV

At first glance, this sounds like Paul is simply touting what all the Philippian believers have done. But a look at verse 6 shows where their fruitfulness comes from: Jesus Christ.

Make no mistake this church has done some amazing things. They have heavily supported Paul and served as a light for Christ in their culture. But their fruitfulness, their strength, their ability to be who Jesus wants them to be, comes from Him.

It's much the same as you. You can't, no matter how hard you try, muster enough strength to be good. You can try to serve Jesus, witness, and be a "good," moral, Christian person. But you can't do it. You don't have the ability.

That's the bad news. It's bad for those of us who thought that becoming a Christian meant we'd turn into good, moral people capable of great things for God. Sorry to burst your bubble... but God's the one who saved you, and God's the one who grows you.

He does all the work. Verse 6 is completely about Him. And since it's completely about Him, we have a confidence we couldn't have if it all depended on us. You see, if I am responsible, I'll fall short. I'll stumble, I'll drift away. I'll do something really, really stupid.

But...

If it's all about Him, then it's His job to grow us. His unfinished business.

Does this remove responsibility from our shoulders? Of course not. We're asked to draw closer to Christ. That's our job. But the growing... well that's up to Him.

Look what Paul said again. "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

That's encouraging. That's good news, because He's not finished with me yet. That places significance on every circumstance I face. That brings forgiveness and second chances for every failure. That removes the stress of trying to do good and get better on my own.

It's His life in you. And before Paul delved into anything else in this letter, he wanted to make sure his readers got this right. Take a few moments and thank God that He's not finished with you yet.


By His Grace,

Adam



Thought for the week: He's got unfinished business with you. Don't lose heart. He knows what He's doing.

Memorize: Philippians 1:6