Perseverance

Day 280.

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)

In the midst of Paul’s thanksgiving for the church in Philippi, he shows why he has such confidence in them. The Lord is behind their future. This verse teaches us that every Christian will, in the end, persevere in his faith. He will not forsake it or fall away, at least not forever. God will always bring him back. God guarantees that the work that He began will be finished. What work did he begin? He began the work of your salvation. When you received Christ, it was indeed you who believed. But that belief did not come without the prodding of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is very clear in telling us that there is no one who seeks after God. You may see people seeking something to fulfill their void and they may call it God, but no one seeks after the true God. That means that God must seek after you if you are to be saved. And He does. He awakens in you a true sorrow for your sin and a new awareness of your need for rescue. And he draws you to an irresistable picture of love in the person and work of Christ. This is what brings you to faith and repentance. And this same Holy Spirit who draws you to Jesus will carry you to maturity in Christ. That doesn’t mean that you won’t backslide at times. But God will not let you fall too far or too long. He will preserve your faith until the end.

Do you ever have doubts about the power of God to save the likes of you? What do doubts do in relationships?

Give thanks today for God’s faithfulness and perseverance with you.

McCheyne’s Bible Reading Plan: 1 Kings 10, Ph 6, Ez 40, Ps 31