Read Philippians 1:1-11

“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)

The great missionary apostle writes with a heart full of thankfulness for the church located in Philippi. No doubt the Philippian church had a special place in Paul’s heart. He planted it through much adversity and affliction. After being put in prison with Silas for healing a demon possessed girl (see Acts 16:16-24), together they sang hymns and prayed in their cell for all to hear. Their witness for Christ climaxed after an earthquake that created a jailbreak. Through these circumstances, Paul was able to lead his jailer and the jailer’s whole family to Christ (see Acts 16:25-34). Wow! What a way to start a church!

Now, years later in his letter to them, he writes why He is thankful for them, and it starts with the most profound reason: *confidence in Christ's good work in them.* “I am confident of this very thing," Paul says in verse 6. He is firmly persuaded of the good work which Christ is doing in each and every believer.

Paul would later say to pastor Timothy:

“I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

Notice, it is not a good work which we begin. Nor is it a good work which we finish. It is Christ working it in us and through us. It is His purpose that is moving us toward completion. Christ’s work in us started the day we surrendered our lives to Him, and it will come to a successful conclusion right up to the day of Christ, when we see Him face to face!

“[Christ] will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:8–9)

Do you know what this means, Beloved? Nothing, and I mean nothing, can stop the work of Christ in you! No matter how hard, how painful, or how useless circumstances may seem, God uses everything to move us toward completion. Absolutely nothing goes to waste. Nothing!

Christian, is that not a great comfort to your ears? No matter what you’re going through right now, your wonderful Savior and Redeemer is moving you forward in the good work which He started in you, and He promises to bring it to a glorious finish!

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24–25)

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