Confidence In God

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. (‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ESV)

The confidence we have in the Lord is not based upon wishful thinking, emotion, or vague promises. It’s based upon texts in Scripture and facts in creation that conform to the biblical texts. Paul had confidence in God that the sanctification of the Christians in Philippi would be complete by the return of Christ. Why did he have this confidence? Was it because they said some little prayer to ask Jesus into their heart? No, because there was evidence in the lives of the people that proved their faith in Christ. Here are a couple of the reasons I see from verses 1–11:

• Paul was writing to individuals who had established a church and were participating in its ministries (verse 1).
• He remembers the day that they came to believe upon Christ, and has continued to pray for them (verse 3–5).
• This church ministered to Paul while he was in jail. They risked their reputation, livelihood, and their life itself to ensure Paul was cared for while in jail (verse 7).
• They defended the gospel with Paul on occasion (verse 7). This would prove to Paul that they knew the gospel themselves, and was evidence that they were saved.
• God had given Paul an internal affection for the people in this church (verse 8).
• He had seen their love grow since the day they first believed (verse 9).

Seeing this evidence (fruit) in the lives of the folks in Philippi, Paul could then say:

“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.”

Have you believed upon Christ? Is their sufficient evidence to prove that Jesus actually started a work in your life? Because he who began the work, will complete the work. Verse 11 tells us that your fruit basket of righteousness will fill as the days move forward. All folks that are Christian carry baskets with them on the path of life. As they walk, their baskets fill up with sweet fruit. They do not drop their fruit on the path, nor does it become rotten. The basket fills and the arms become stronger to carry the increasingly heavy basket.

Press on in the gospel today my friend. May “your love abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” (verses 9–10)