HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU

He Who Began a Good Work in You

By Russell Gehrlein

It is probably safe to say that most Christians have a favorite verse or passage that becomes an anchor for their soul.  It may define their walk of faith.  Philippians 1:6 has been my life verse.

I like this verse for a number of reasons.  It is theological, as you will see below.  It ties together at least three of the elements of standard systematic theology: soteriology, sanctification, and eschatology.  It is also personal.  It reminds me that the Creator of the universe is recreating me.

I am confident of this very thing

Why is Paul so confident?  Why is he so absolutely convinced and assured of these truths?

Paul’s confidence is not based on the strength of the faith of these members of the church in Philippi.  Paul’s certainty rests on the foundation of the character of God as He revealed Himself to Paul through the appearance of Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6).

This confidence Paul had reminded me of that old hymn, “For I Know Whom I Have Believed”.  The writer of this hymn that was written in the late 1800s declares that he does not know why God’s wondrous grace was made known to him, or how this saving faith was imparted to him, or how the Spirit moves, or when the Lord will return.  However, he does know this:

I know whom I have believed,

and am persuaded that he is able

to keep that which I’ve committed

unto him against that day.

He who began a good work in you

This first part of the verse links to the doctrine of soteriology, or things related to salvation. 

This article does not fall into the category of the theology of work, of which I have written and posted 160 articles to date in this blog.  However, I would be remiss if I did not highlight the fact that this verse does support the concept that Jesus, as the 2nd Person of the Trinity, is a worker.

The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary (vol. 2: New Testament) indicates, “Of course, it was God who had produced their transformed lives by the work of regeneration. . . The ‘good work’ refers to the salvation begin at their conversion.”  Let us explore God’s pre-conversion work.

We see a glimpse of God’s supernatural work in the heart of someone who is being drawn by God into an eternal relationship with Him in Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:3).  Jesus gently explains to him that no one, not even this Jewish leader, can see the kingdom of God without being born again first.  God must first remove the scales from our eyes to even see Him.

Will perfect it

This second part of the verse links to the doctrine of sanctification, or how we become holy.

The Amplified Bible states it this way: “He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it”.  The Good News Translation emphasizes that God will carry it on (the good work that He began) until it is finished.  The Living Bible interprets it in this manner: God “will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished”.

The point is fairly clear.  When we first come to faith in Jesus Christ, God begins the supernatural work of regeneration.  We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).  His presence, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, causes us to increase in Christ-likeness and maturity over time as we consistently trust and obey and learn to walk with God, abide in Christ, and are filled with the Holy Spirit.  He continues to transform us internally for the rest of our lives or until Jesus returns.

Until the day of Christ Jesus

This last part of the verse links to the doctrine of eschatology or last things.

The Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary gives us an important perspective on our end state.  “God not only initiates this salvation, but continues it and guarantees its consummation at the glorious coming of Jesus Christ, which will vindicate both the Lord and his people.  Nothing in this life or after death can prevent the successful accomplishment of God’s good work in every Christian.”

The commentators list the five other places in the NT where “the day of Christ Jesus” is mentioned (1 Cor. 1:8, 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:10, and 2:16).  They add, “This expression is similar to the ‘day of the Lord” (1 Thes. 5:2) and the OT ‘day of the Lord” (Amos 5:18-20).”

In reading these verses, I observe several things:  Jesus will come and it could come at any time.  It will be unmistakable, seen by all.  This will be a one-time event that ends life as we know it.

No other verses in the NT express this truth of eternal security better than the Apostle Paul’s beautiful description of God’s strong and permanent love for His children now and forevermore than Rom. 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Amen!

Conclusion

This verse is so central to my Christian faith.  It reminds me that it is not all up to me.  I do cooperate with the process, but my source of strength, growth, and maturity is God Himself.

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Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband, father, grandfather, and blogger. He received a B.S. in mathematics from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. God has given him a unique career journey as a junior/high school math and science teacher, youth pastor, and service in the military. Russ has worked as a Department of the Army civilian at Fort Leonard Wood for the past 13 years. He is an ordinary man whose passion is helping other people experience God’s presence and integrate their Christian faith at work.

His first book, Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession is A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work. Russ has written for the NCO Journal, Army Chemical Review, Campus Life, and for the Center for Army Lessons Learned. Russ has been published in Christian blogs and websites such as, Center for Faith & Work at LeTourneau University, Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, 4Word Women, and The Gospel Coalition. His blog, Reflections on Theological Topics of Interest, inspires him to write on a continual basis.

Feature Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash