Philippians 1:6

New International Version (NIV)

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

For Meditation

The greatest joy we have in our Christian walk is the assurance of our salvation (Jn. 10:27-30). However, that is one blessing the enemy wants to steal from us through his profession of conditional salvation. Salvation is all the work of grace from start to finish—the reason it is so incredible (Romans 5:20; Eph. 2:8-9). We cannot legislate out of fear of abuse. The Lord, who gives this grace, can separate the wheat from the weeds growing in the same field (Matthew 13:24-30).

God started your salvation—not you or any other person. He did this before the creation of time by choosing you in Christ and predestining you for adoption into His family by sonship (Eph. 1:4-5). Isn’t that great news to shout out for the benefit of others?

Is it not heartwarming to know that when His set time had fully come, God brought Jesus, His Son, to actualize His plan to redeem and adopt you (Galatians 4:4)? He did not forget to call you to Himself (Matthew 11:28), nor did He come short of justifying you when you responded to His call (Rom. 5:1; 10:10, 13).

He who has done all this in your life will continue His good work in you until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6). This is what Paul exquisitely expresses in today’s scripture for our encouragement and assurance.

Though you continue to succumb to sin and struggle with doubts and fear along the way, He will continue to sanctify you until He reveals your ultimate salvation when glory dawns on you (1 Pt. 1:5).

Your confidence, and that of every believer in Christ, stands firm in God’s immutable nature and faithfulness to us and His word (Nu. 23:19; 1 Tim. 2:11-13). Christ started His life in you, and He will finish it (Heb. 12:2; Phil 2:13).

I pray you will not lose your confidence as current events worsen and false teachers abound in their wicked and selfish schemes to deceive God’s people.

Rejoice, therefore, with Paul that God can keep and carry you safely into glory when Christ returns for His Church. Thank Him and give Him praise today.