Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Nov 4, 2024 - God Is at Work in You”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsGod Is at Work in You
Reading: Philippians 1:1-11
Paul writes this letter to the Philippians because they have recently sent some form of aid to him while in prison (see Phil 4:14-18, 1:7); Philippians is an extended thank-you note. Paul notably addresses the letter to “all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons”(Phil 1:1). This church had overseers/elders/pastors to watch over the group and deacons to tend to needs. As is his habit, Paul mentions to them his prayers for them (Phil 1:3-4), specifying that he prays for them “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now”(Phil 1:5). “Partnership” (other versions have “participation,” “sharing,” or “fellowship”) is a rich word that implies mutual goals and joint work. When a church sends Paul money as he preaches the gospel, he sees it as more than a transaction. It is a sign that we are fully joined in a combined work. For this he thanks God.
But he is more excited by what their gift says about them. “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”(Phil 1:6). Their gift of kindness is more than cutting a check. It is an outgrowth of a work of personal transformation God has begun in them. God is working not just for their individual betterment, but that through them he can bless others (like Paul). He is further confident that God will continue his work all the way to “the day of Jesus Christ.” All of this makes Paul very emotional: “I hold you in my heart”(Phil 1:7) and “I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus”(Phil 1:8). It makes him pray for their continued growth (Phil 1:9-11) as God continues to work in them.
Statements like these give us both humility and confidence. We are humbled as we realize that we are a project God has taken on in which he slowly refines our character. Any improvements we see, service we render, or wisdom we gain is God’s work, not our own. Yet we are also confident that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” When I feel incomplete, insufficient, and insecure, I remember God is at work in me. He will finish the job.
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One Thing to Think About: Am I confident that God is at work in me—and my fellow believers?
One Thing to Pray For: To grow in love, knowledge, and discernment
