Encouragement for today

May 16, 2021 (Sunday)

 

In Sunday School class, we covered some amazingly encouraging passages. Since today was a “grey death,” cold, and drizzly type of day it was good this verse comes up in our calendar. Let’s dig into today’s helping of encouragement.

 

“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 ESV] Ever wonder about the pain of God’s work in your life? I would not be surprised if your life has not turned out the way you anticipated. Mine hasn’t. But that’s okay.

 

Paul was sure. I’m thinking if Paul was sure, then it’s a sure thing, something to be counted on, taken to the bank, sort of thing. God will complete the work He began in you, but it’s not going to be today. That means, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you are… you are incomplete. Praise!

 

God is not done with you. There is a special day when God will complete His work in you. That day is “the day of Jesus Christ.” In other words, when Jesus returns. Now there’s something to look forward too.

 

Paul then lets the church in on his prayer for them: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” [Philippians 1:9 – 11 ESV] Let’s look at this prayer.

 

Knowledge and discernment are critical. If we are ignorant, then we are in the dark. Discernment is the ability to sort out information, something that is a lost skill in our world. The point is that we know and approve of the excellent.

 

This leads to practical Christianity. My Dad and I would argue about this point, frequently. My point was that Christianity (following Jesus) was practical. Dad said there was nothing practical about Christianity. I still feel very strongly that if our hearts are aligned with Jesus, then our lives will show it.

 

Paul’s wish list is for the people to be pure and blameless. Wow, consider all wrong turns we have taken. Consider all the failures we have had. On second thought, don’t. The Bible says that God has forgotten them. He’s the only one in the universe who is able to forget.

 

This will all create in us a thing the Bible calls “fruit.” Specifically, the fruit of righteousness. Being pure and blameless has benefits now as well in eternity. Paul does not pray that the people get a taste now. His prayer was they would be filled.

 

Right thought and right life bring benefits to us, and glory and praise to God. When all is said and done, we recognize God as the source of all that is excellent in our lives. Only God gets the credit. Only God gets the glory.

 

I think Paul’s prayer reflects the heart of God for His people, for you.