Philippians 1:6
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.”
What a wonderful promise. I can recall the fears I had as a young christian; that I would fall away. It was discouragement of still falling into sin. I can recall the comfort that this verse brings.
God certainly began a work in me. The evidence is all over. I saw His hand as He was calling me. My friend group was getting jobs and other friends. I wasn’t befriended, but one of many. I was lonely. I was injured and could no longer play the sport that was so dear. A loss of hope and a frustration that things weren’t’ working out as I had hoped.
At that time I went to a large youth group that had a concert. I responded to the altar call. I began to get very interested in God. I had no other christian friends. A few months later, my mom and I started to watch christian tv. That fed our fledgling faith.
I bumped into a guy going to seminary and we became friends. I went to his house every Friday night for bible study. My brother, a friend from high school, my mom and I started to go to Calvary Chapel. God’s Word was like rocket fuel. We grew in enthusiasm and wisdom.
Internally I felt God’s peace, His comfort, His guidance and His presence. I John 5:10a says, “Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him”. When we’re born again we are witness to it’s truth. God is in us, loving us, aiding us and so on. We see it and feel it.
So, because He has started a work in us, He promises to complete it. More blessing. We can put away that fear that we won’t finish. This and many other promises encourage us that He won’t abandon us.
Romans 8:35 is another such scripture, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” The answer is no one. I used to play tricks on myself to explain away this verse. I would think, “I know no one can take me out of Christ’s hand, but I can walk out.” I now believe we are included in the group of “Who will”. If we are born again, we can’t be unborn. We are His and He will complete that good work He started.
Thank You, Lord, for this encouragement. It’s what You do. Help us to trust and not fear.