“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. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:6–7, ESV)
There weas a time in my early life, that I would usually begin a project and not complete it. Simple things I would finish, but the complex things that took some time or energy I would not. This all changed when I went through my military training, particularly the Army Ranger School. I guess it was a matter of discipline. So, after that I became more dogmatic. I would not quit until I had accomplished the task at hand. I guess, in all honesty, there were a few things that I gave up on when I saw the cost of finishing was not worth the reward.
Paul wrote here that God who began a work in the Philippians would complete this good work in them. The Lord our God had begun the work of salvation in the believers at Philippi. While Paul was the chosen vessel used by God, it was not Paul who did this, for it is God’s salvation. He indicated that as the Lord began this good work in them, He would also complete it in them.
Here Paul wrote of the continuing work of growing them in Christ likeness, building the church, and taking them to the finished work of glorification. God perfectly finishes what He begins.
This is great news for us. It means that after our salvation, the Lord does not abandon us. He continuously works with us and in us to accomplish His great purposes.
Paul had absolute confidence in this for the Philippians. The reason was that he saw their heart for the gospel ministry in their faithful participation with Paul in his. Their lives testified to the sincerity of their faith in Jesus.
I have been with many congregations in the years after my salvation and have seen this in the lives of believers. You can really see the difference. Some have a hunger for righteousness and a pursuit of holiness that is truly evident. It is not just a matter of doing good works. In these you can see the heart of devotion to the Lord, manifested in their general Christian countenance. They display the qualities of Christ likeness. They are the people that touch your heart.
Many can do good works, but few display the fruit of the Spirit. It is those in whom I have see the qualities of godliness that give me the greatest confidence.
Renewing the Heart 