Php 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will
bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul writes to the church in Philippi from jail to give thanks for the gifts the church family sent by way of Epaphroditus. He continues on to share of the sufferings he and his co-workers have endured. As the Gospel was being spread through much suffering, Paul offers them them joy and encouragement in spite of it. This was good news. What God began in the life of the believer we can be confident He is faithful to complete it.

It is not our good works or best efforts that save us, but Gods grace alone. He is faithful to complete the work that He started in each one of us. In Philippians 2:12-13 Paul says:

therefore , my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13) For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Paul is saying, “trust and obey God as he completes his good work in you.” God is making us more and more like Christ until the day of His return. I love this verse because it give me hope in my own life and it gives me a heart of compassion and grace for others knowing that God is working in us all. We are being perfected but we aren’t there yet. It’s a process that takes shaping, molding, pruning, abiding and patience. It reminds me to show grace to others and see them (and myself) as a work in progress. I am encouraged that the sufferings we experience are for our good and Gods glory, this is a reason to be filled with joy, don’t you think?

Lord, help me to see myself and others the way your see us, a work in progress. Help me to trust and obey, even in times of difficulty knowing that you are doing a good work and you are faithful to complete it in all of us.