Friday, April 15, 2022
"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." Philippians 1:6
The partial framing of a house stood on the property my parents bought to build their house on. I well remember the weathered timber that gave silent testimony to an incomplete project started many years before. Someone had begun a work they were unable to finish.
There is basis for great confidence in knowing that God fully completes that which He initiates. His kingdom-building work in our lives will be brought to perfect completion on that day when we see Jesus face to face. This process is not altogether clear at the moment, but the ultimate outcomes will be perfect Christ-likeness: "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is" 1 John 3:2.
The process seems painfully slow in my life, and perhaps yours as well. I marvel at God's unending patience in my character building. Were I in His place (thankfully I am not!), I would have given up on the Steven project long ago. But God is not like the builder of the partially-framed house on my parent's property: He fully completes what He begins.
You and I likely have considerably less patience for our character building than God does. He has not, nor will not, give up on us, nor should we! Today is an adventure in Christ-like character building. May we fully cooperate with the Master Builder.
Pastor Steve
"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." Philippians 1:6
The partial framing of a house stood on the property my parents bought to build their house on. I well remember the weathered timber that gave silent testimony to an incomplete project started many years before. Someone had begun a work they were unable to finish.
There is basis for great confidence in knowing that God fully completes that which He initiates. His kingdom-building work in our lives will be brought to perfect completion on that day when we see Jesus face to face. This process is not altogether clear at the moment, but the ultimate outcomes will be perfect Christ-likeness: "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is" 1 John 3:2.
The process seems painfully slow in my life, and perhaps yours as well. I marvel at God's unending patience in my character building. Were I in His place (thankfully I am not!), I would have given up on the Steven project long ago. But God is not like the builder of the partially-framed house on my parent's property: He fully completes what He begins.
You and I likely have considerably less patience for our character building than God does. He has not, nor will not, give up on us, nor should we! Today is an adventure in Christ-like character building. May we fully cooperate with the Master Builder.
Pastor Steve