May 10, 2026
God's Finished Work
Most people feel a sense of enjoyment when they finish a job, whether that be a chore at home, a school assignment, or a work project. Once it is finished, we feel good, accomplished, and productive. What is surprising is that this feeling is present no matter how large the task is. It may be a small task or a large task, but once it is done, there is satisfaction.
However, the opposite is true. When a task seems to take longer than usual, maybe because of difficulty, procrastination, or lack of motivation, we become frustrated and upset that we haven’t crossed the finish line. One task that may feel this way is personal development and discipleship via the avenue of sanctification. But what may cause frustration in this area isn’t the fact that we may come up short in reaching it; rather, when we reach that finished product, it moves further and further ahead. We can see the finish line and the end goal, but they keep moving ahead of us.
Given this reality, some may become discouraged and see no reason to continue growing in the area of discipleship. However, Apostle Paul’s prayer for the congregation of Phillip offers words of encouragement. He says, “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” (Phil. 1:6 ESV). When Paul considers the finish line for these Christians, whether they will reach it or not, he has no doubt. He is convinced and filled with confidence that they will come to completion.
But what causes Paul to have such great faith in this? For he knows that there is a great Being with great power who is working to bring the Christian to the finish line, and that Being is God himself. God is not one to drop a job He begins. He isn’t one who procrastinates, nor is He one who is intimidated by difficulties or lacks motivation. He will finish the job that He has begun in us.
Christians who may sometimes fall into the pit of despair about their religious development and where they are in their spiritual walk should find great encouragement in these words, knowing that God is working in them and in their lives. But as these words provide hope, that hope should move us. Instead of thinking we cannot reach the goal that God has set before us, we should be encouraged that with God we surely can.
As the famous Bible teacher Adam Clark wrote, “There shall be nothing lacking on God’s part to support you; and to make you wise, holy and happy; and bring you at last to his kingdom and glory.” God has done and will continue to do everything He can to save us. We must never forget that. This very fact should move us to continue cooperating with grace, yielding to His will, and obeying His word. And we can be like Paul, for as he was confident in this matter of salvation, we can stand with him, knowing that God is at work in our lives, has set the goal before us, and will lead us across that finish line. - Christian
Past Articles
The Joy of Partnership 5/3/2026
Our Identity 4/26/2026