Scripture:
Philippians 1:9-11
For
I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you
will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right
for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since
both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you
all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I
long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Insights: The
third aspect to this particular sign post to restore your joy is to work with your
family. There are two specific kinds of
work being described in today’s verses, as well as, the motivating influence
behind them both. The first work is that
of Jesus our Brother. Jesus is working
with us to perfect us for our eternal dwelling with Him. In the sixth verse He promises to complete
the work He has begun in us. This
perfecting is a three step process. One,
Jesus justifies us before God at the moment of our new birth. Two, and this step is what Paul is referring
to here in this sixth verse, Jesus sanctifies us throughout our remaining life
here on earth. Three, Jesus glorifies us
the moment we enter into eternity with Him.
This final step is the ultimate completion of the good work He has begun
in us. The second work in which we find
ourselves is that of being co-laborers with our brothers and sisters. This work consists of spreading the
gospel. Paul expressed his feelings of
love toward his siblings as he was imprisoned for the defense and confirmation
of the gospel. He continues the thought
by telling these Philippian brothers and sisters that they are partakers of God
grace with him. He knows they themselves
are out there in the battle field defending and confirming the gospel just like
he is. And because of this work Paul’s
heart is overwhelmed with joy because of their labor in the gospel. The motivator for these works with our family
is found in the eighth verse. What
motivates this sanctification process and this evangelistic zeal is LOVE! Warren Wiersbe wrote, “Christian love is not
something we work up; it is something that God does in us and through us. Paul longed for his friends, ‘in the love of
Jesus Christ.’ It was not Paul’s love
channeled through Christ; it was Christ’s love channeled through Paul.” Beloved, let us love one another!
Questions:
- Is Christ working His sanctifying work in your life?
- Are you working with your brothers and sisters for the
advancement of the gospel?
Prayer: Father, thank
You again for the family You have given to me.
You are the One who purges my life of sin and produces righteousness in
Christ Jesus. May that perfecting work
be experienced throughout my family and may we then serve You well as we spread
the gospel. Amen.
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