Complete Work

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6

I remember there were times when I was growing up when my father would give us work to do. It could be cutting grass, washing cars, taking out trash, sweeping the floor, whatever. But he always expected it to be done to completion. One of his most famous sayings was “Don’t halfway do a job.” I must admit that I didn’t particularly care for that line or logic, especially when completing the work took more time and kept me from other activities. It’s funny how the older me now works until the job is done, and I expect that out of my children and expected it out my students.

This concept of completing work is something my earthly father and Heavenly Father have in common. Paul begins this verse with confidence because he knows that God doesn’t halfway do a job. He always completes what He starts. In particular, He has begun a good work in each of us. When we accept the Lord as our Savior, He redeems us from sin and condemnation. The work begins there. But we are still wrapped in flesh, so our manhood/womanhood constantly needs to die daily. God helps us with this through the person of His Holy Spirit and will keep doing so until Christ returns, the day when we are fully perfect. I’m glad about that, and I’m sure my earthly father is too.