Read Philippians 1 Joy in Suffering

...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 1:6 NKJV)

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Philippi form his Roman house arrest. After his familiar greeting of grace and peace he gives thanks for them upon recalling them in prayer, He focuses his praise on Gods keeping power here.

The confidence he has. The Philippian Christians could be discouraged with their shortcomings. They have been persecuted and could have compromised. How easy and normal for Paul to be anxious while in prison. Yet with all uncertainties for others as well as himself; he wrote of the joy in affliction assuring them of God's faithfulness. His confidence lies in God.

The commencement God is the one who has started a good work in them. Man by nature is dead in sin. He has no power to act spiritually. God initiated the work. Gods work is always good and perfect in us. Its not good work, that one does, whether ministry or spiritual formation but its those wrought by God. Its the work of grace upon their hearts, gift of faith, and not man's. It is the work of salvation. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

The completion - God initiated and He will complete it. What God has started in them will complete the process. He will continue to sanctify us till we are perfect and complete in Jesus appearing. We therefore begin with the end in mind that God has ordained the outcome. A lad saw a sculptor chipping away some parts of a big rock. He was wondering what was the sculptor doing. Three months later he saw a majestic lion standing on the same platform where the rock stood. He was inquisitive over how the sculptor could do it. The response from the sculptor was I have seen the lion inside that rock before I started releasing it. Thats what God looked at us, the image of His Son even before the foundation of the earth. We are indeed Gods workmanship.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the work of salvation. You have begun in my life. You will continue to sanctify me till I am complete in conformity with Christ. I know the outcome You have planned what You have begun in my life. This is what success is living with the end in mind.

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