Paul makes a very bold statement in this portion of his letter to the Philippians, “I am sure of this…” But notice that his confidence is not necessarily in what will happen but in the one that will cause it to happen. So persuaded of God’s faithfulness, he assures the Philippian church that God will finish what He started. In other words, God will be faithful to the very end. The good work talked about here is primarily the work of salvation and its resultant fruit. That the God who saves at the beginning will also save at the end when Christ Jesus returns. This is sort of the same idea that Paul employs when he argues in Romans 8:29-30:

_For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified._

This is really good news. You and I don’t have to live our Christian lives wondering how it will turn out at the end – the faithful God will see us safely on the other side. We can trust in the strength of God’s character and live for the praise of His name. Like Paul, we, too, can be sure of this. This promise also applies to other good works that God begins in us. Even those He will bring to completion. It may not always look or seem that way, but we must choose to trust. There are moments when our circumstances might seem like God’s plan has disintegrated, but it is then that we must remember:

“God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

1. Are you confident of your salvation in Christ Jesus? What’s the basis of your confidence?

2. What good work has God begun in your life? Look to Him with hope because He will complete it.