Journal Entry // September 2, 2022
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. (ESV)
Philippians 1:6
There are several deep spiritual truths in this single verse that would necessarily cause me to spend hours contemplating the work of Christ in my life. This morning I am thinking through the “good work” that Christ has begun in me. A work that will not be completed until the day Christ returns and makes all things new. This good that is being worked in me is not being carried out in my strength but in the power and direction of Christ. This work is for my good and his glory. Each and every detail of my journey through this life is essential and unique. I say this to mean that the good work that Christ is bringing to completion in me will necessarily take different twists and turns. The circumstances that I encounter are not going to be like the circumstances of my closest friend. The Lord has determined what is best to bring about this good work through Christ working in me. I can be sure of one thing through this process. I can be sure that it is not in vain. Life is not meaningless or pointless or worthless. Life is precious. Life is this good work of salvation working in and through me to make me more like Christ each and every day. This process will carry on until that day of Jesus Christ. Until that day where I am face to face with my Savior.
This is to be my source of motivation to persevere and carry on through the rigors and trials that continually arise in the circumstances of life. My Savior has begun a good work in my life but the enemy is also at work. He is working to destroy any good that may come from my life. He is focused on crushing me. He is focused on deceiving me. He is focused on drawing me away from Christ and the riches of my Redeemer’s mercy and grace. The enemy is relentless in this objective. My Savior is more relentless in bringing his good work to completion. He has begun a good work and he will complete it. The enemy seems powerful and strong. The enemy seems like he is winning more and more each day. This is not true. This is a lie that the enemy wants me to believe so that I will give myself over to despair.
Christ has begun a good work in me and he alone will bring it to completion. No scheme of the enemy can stop my all-powerful God from completing this work in me. My Savior is here with me. Even now he is with me. I am sitting on the porch of my house looking out at the trees, the creek, and the various animals moving around as I think and contemplate this passage. God is sovereign over all of this. The Lord has created and upholds each and every atom in the entirety of the universe. There is not one atom out of place. Even on the most distant and remote planet beyond the reaches of our most powerful telescope, God is still sovereign. This sovereignty extends to my life as well. There is nothing out of place in the circumstances and events of my life. Everything is exactly as it is because Christ has begun a good work in me and will bring it to completion. Not everything seems pleasant at the moment. Trials and adversity are not happy and joyous events that I look forward to. What I do look forward to is the closeness and the drawing of my soul to Christ. In these adversities and trials, Jesus draws me closer as I better understand the weakness of my flesh and the strength of Jesus alone.
This good work being brought to completion in me is humbleness. Humility is the central theme of the good work transforming my prideful arrogance into humble obedience. In this humble obedience, I am learning to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the good work being brought to completion. A humble obedient servant who loves God to the fullest. A man that no longer cares only for himself, but cares for others as a priority. Cares for them as he has witnessed his Savior care for them. Love for God and Love for People. This is the good work being completed in me. Making me more like Jesus and preparing me for an eternity in his presence.