stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 1:6)

In only a few verses, Paul mentioned critical components of Christian fellowship, such as prayer, thankfulness, and the gospel.  He moves to the ongoing daily growth God wants to accomplish in every believer – discipleship.  He is “confident” God’s beginning work in the Philippian believers will be “completed” at the second coming of Christ (v. 6). Praying with confidence is something every believer should do.  It is not confidence in Paul’s work as an apostle but in Christ’s work in each believer.  Although Paul started the church, God began the work.  Paul trusted that only God could see it come to completion.  

The Philippian believers shared in the furtherance of the gospel with Paul in financial ways.  Paul sees God’s grace at work in their lives.  Later, in 2 Corinthians 8:7, Paul encourages the Corinthians to give like the Philippians by “excelling in the grace of giving.”  The Philippians exhibited Christlikeness and maturity by thinking of others before themselves and furthering Kingdom work.  What God began must grow.  God desires that we mature daily after salvation.  This is called discipleship or sanctification.  The Philippians were not only partnering with Paul but with God Himself.  The God who begins work in us progresses it until it is complete. Sanctification is an ongoing process that completes in heaven when we enter the last stage of salvation, glorification.  In heaven, we will be complete with Christ. Until then, we are to grow in Christ.  

Paul’s confidence wasn’t in the Philippians’ maturity but in God, Who matures.  While he benefited from their maturity and generosity, Paul knew God was directly responsible.  He was confident God could do more in and through them, just as we should be with the brothers and sisters God has placed in our lives.  

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Ask God, Who began a work in you, to continue and complete it.  What has He started that has stopped?  

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• Think about what you have witnessed God start in some fellow believers’ lives.  Now, pray that He will help them grow as they mature in discipleship.

Action for the Hands (Do)

• How can you encourage your fellow brothers and sisters to grow as Paul did?  Identify two that you can pray Philippians 1:6 over and do that this week.