Philippians 1:6: God's Not Finished With You Yet

Philippians 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."

Have you every gotten discouraged because you felt as if you just couldn't stop sinning? I know I've certainly been there, in fact, I've been there in the past week! However, Paul's words in Philippians 1:6 can give us great hope in this situation by showing us that God is not finished with us yet.

In Phillipians 1:6, Paul is giving reasons for his thanksgiving of the Phillipian church. Many are given, but the most popular verse in this section is the one quoted above, where Paul exclaims great thanksgiving over the sure fact that the God who started a work of grace in the Philippian church would bring it to completion when Christ comes again. This very fact is true of us today as well. Let us look at a few aspects of this truth this morning.

Firstly, Paul's disposition about God's eventual complete work in our lives is sure. Notice what Paul says: "And I am sure of this." There is no room for hopelessness or distrust when it comes to the works that God has promised to his children. For those of us who he has saved, he has already started a good work in us, and he will complete it. There are no caveats, and God does not fail his promises. God will complete that which he sets out to do, even if it is redeeming sinful hearts like ours.

Secondly, Paul is hear speaking of our glorification, that is, our ultimate salvation from the presence of sin. Theologians speak of three aspects of our "salvation," which all appear in the Bible at different places. Oftentimes, we think of salvation as merely "justification," but the Bible uses it in three different ways. Firstly, the word salvation in scripture most often points to our justification, that is, God saving us from the penalty of sin. Secondly, the word salvation in scripture also refers to our sanctification, as God works alongside with us over time to free us from the power of sin. Thirdly, the word salvation in scriputure can refer to our glorification, which is a future reality in which God will save us from the presence of sin. This is the very aspect of salvation that Paul is speaking of here. Because God has started a good work in us (that is, justification), he will finish that good work in us (that is, glorification). Thus, although justification and sanctification have both happened and are happening in us, they are not our end. Rather, our end is complete salvation from any presence of sin, which we will experience eternally in heaven.

Thirdly, Paul recognizes that our salvaiton this is all the work of God. Matthew Henry says this about this verse of scripture, that "he who began it must perfect and complete it." Although we do have a part to play in our sanctification, both our justification and glorification are fully works of God. We cannot save ourselves--only God can save us, and praise be to him because he does save us, not only from the penalty of sin, but also it's presence.

So, how can you take comfort today in the fact that God is not finished with you yet? Remember: God will complete the work that he has started in you, and there is great hope in that very fact. Amen.