Philippians 1:6
“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.”
Upsets have a way of deflating our confidence, and failure may cause us to despair, yet the apostle Paul learned otherwise. Imprisoned, stoned and left for dead, shipwrecked, despairing even of life – each of these were the tools that taught him where his real confidence should lay. Abased or abounding, his confidence was in the faithful God who was continually working in his life. Each event taught Paul that “He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
Many Christians have been conditioned to believe that serving in ministry is the good work, but that’s only an expression of God’s real work. He works “in” us toward one goal – the unceasing work of practical sanctification. There’s a chorus of a worship song that says it well. “Even when I can’t see it, You’re working. Even when I can’t feel it, You’re working. You never stop, You never stop working.”
God’s commitment to us isn’t intended to make us comfortable, but to conform us to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:29) And that process necessitates difficulties. It resembles that of a sculptor who seeing beauty in a slab of stone, diligently goes to work. Initially great pieces are removed, then the intricate details are chiseled until at last the desired image is revealed.
Believer, everything that is happening at this moment is absolute proof of God’s continuing work “in” us. Never assume that God is done with you. That work will only be complete when you meet Jesus face-to-face.
– Pastor Jack
Have you been blessed by Pastor Jack’s Devotions? Email us now: CLICK HERE
