One of my favorite verses of scripture is Philippians 2:13 where Paul affirms that God is at work in me. (And you!) That verse is made even more powerful for me by verse 6 in today’s reading:
“God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Finishing what he started was very important for the Apostle Paul as he affirmed in 2 Timothy 4:7 where he wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” We live in an era where going the distance is not the norm. There was a time when professional athletes were expected to finishing the race, but no more. We have relief pictures in baseball, and all manner of specialist in football and other team sports making it unnecessary for athletes to go the distance, to finish the race.
Of course, life doesn't actually work that way. Our goal for life is not about how we start; it’s about finishing well. I know we all have experienced things in our lives that we did not finish. But, that wasn’t our goal when we began. Our goal was to finish what we started.
As we begin reading the Book of Philippines we can celebrate our God who owns the record for finishing what he starts. Our text is straight to the point: “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” I see this as a bridge to our closing thoughts on the Gospel of Mark where we read that the young man at the tomb instructed the women to tell Peter that Jesus will be waiting for him in Galilee.
God wasn’t through with Peter. And, God isn’t through with me either. (Or you!)
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
22-Nov-11 Phil. 1:15-30
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