netchaplain
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“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform (Greek: epiteleō – accomplish; finish) it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phl 1:6). “Until the day of Jesus Christ” needs no interpretation, as it obviously refers to His second coming which is known as “the day of the Lord” (1Co 5:5; 2Co 1:14; 1Th 5:2; 2Pe 3:10); and the first on His to do list—resurrect the bodies of those who have been with Him and those yet living on the earth at that time, which is the last work of salvation completing with “the redemption of our body” (Rom 8:23).
The “good work” which God has started is “regeneration” (redemption), which must be first, as there can be no other work until this is established. What He began with is an implanted, fully-completed redemption at the point of faith or “since ye believed” (Act 19:2). After that, the “work” of God in us is that of “being conformed (by the Spirit - Rom 8:13; Eph 3:16),” in our walk “to the image of His Son (Ro 8:29); which walk has no effect on the established salvation, but rather manifests it as our faith continues to spiritually grow.
From rebirth to resurrection, our work (Luk 2:49) is our walk in “growing up into Him in all things” (Eph 4:15), and how much we are concerned with conformation (not confirmation) will determine how much God will be using us in drawing the lost and strengthening the saved (both are the work)!
It has been accurately stated that “the lost need saved, and the saved need delivered!” Delivered from what, one might inquire? Not from redemption, which was completed at rebirth, but from all oppositions which believers now have acquired, as listed in my opinioned order of significance: self (old man), Satan (uses the old self) and society (majority of mankind, i.e. the “ many going to destruction” – Matthew 7:13).
The continually needed “deliverance” in the believer’s walk or lifestyle, will depend on how much you are “casting all your care on Him” (1Pe 5:7). Notice the word “all,” as this, I think, is the crux of the theme, for even a minor care can result in a major distraction (but never separation from union with God). “All” includes comforting and discomforting cares, and since being reborn we care more now than we ever have. So, everything for us rests in a heightened meaningfulness, as we learn more all the time how even that which is seemingly small is equally significant to all else.
I refer to something I read that I often like repeating, because I use it the most for encouragement: “When we are disappointed, we have trusted in the arm of flesh instead of the arm of God; for God never disappoints.” I’ve found that this cause can always be traced back to thinking too much of self’s good (Rom 12:3)!
To His Good Work in Us and Our Blessings to Him!
The “good work” which God has started is “regeneration” (redemption), which must be first, as there can be no other work until this is established. What He began with is an implanted, fully-completed redemption at the point of faith or “since ye believed” (Act 19:2). After that, the “work” of God in us is that of “being conformed (by the Spirit - Rom 8:13; Eph 3:16),” in our walk “to the image of His Son (Ro 8:29); which walk has no effect on the established salvation, but rather manifests it as our faith continues to spiritually grow.
From rebirth to resurrection, our work (Luk 2:49) is our walk in “growing up into Him in all things” (Eph 4:15), and how much we are concerned with conformation (not confirmation) will determine how much God will be using us in drawing the lost and strengthening the saved (both are the work)!
It has been accurately stated that “the lost need saved, and the saved need delivered!” Delivered from what, one might inquire? Not from redemption, which was completed at rebirth, but from all oppositions which believers now have acquired, as listed in my opinioned order of significance: self (old man), Satan (uses the old self) and society (majority of mankind, i.e. the “ many going to destruction” – Matthew 7:13).
The continually needed “deliverance” in the believer’s walk or lifestyle, will depend on how much you are “casting all your care on Him” (1Pe 5:7). Notice the word “all,” as this, I think, is the crux of the theme, for even a minor care can result in a major distraction (but never separation from union with God). “All” includes comforting and discomforting cares, and since being reborn we care more now than we ever have. So, everything for us rests in a heightened meaningfulness, as we learn more all the time how even that which is seemingly small is equally significant to all else.
I refer to something I read that I often like repeating, because I use it the most for encouragement: “When we are disappointed, we have trusted in the arm of flesh instead of the arm of God; for God never disappoints.” I’ve found that this cause can always be traced back to thinking too much of self’s good (Rom 12:3)!
To His Good Work in Us and Our Blessings to Him!
