Philippians 1:6 - Jesus Can Do It! - Will You Let Him?
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) And I am certain that
God, who began the good work within you, will
continue his work until it is finally finished on the
day when Christ Jesus returns.
COMMENTARY PEARL
There are a couple of things I really
like about this verse. First, it says I can be
sure that God started a good work in me and He
will complete it, and I don't have to strive or
struggle in my own strength. I only have to comply,
and He'll produce lasting change in me! That's
good news indeed, because on my own, I've failed
miserably to change my faults or shortcomings, no
matter how hard I've tried and prayed.
I also really like that the scripture
suggests my evolution happens over time - maybe even
a longtime. I may want instant results,
especially when it comes to some troublesome traits,
but God's not rushing. His timing is different
than mine, and He knows best.
While I'm busy fretting to fix myself in
a hurry, it's the gentle Jesus in me who
affects true change. I take great comfort in this
verse and others (like 2 Corinthians 3:18) that
assure me that God is changing me slowly but
surely. Meanwhile, Jesus stands in the gap between
who I am, and who I'll be in eternity. While He
empowers me to change, I am unconditionally loved and
accepted, just as I am. Isabella Yosuico
Faith Step: Reflect on a shortcoming that
you can't seem to change and write a prayer to
Jesus to help you enjoy the promise of today's
verse. [Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by
Guideposts and Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
Completing the Work in You
Are you afraid of an uncertain future
right now? Are you discouraged, feeling like you
have failed in various areas of your life? If you
have invited Jesus to be your Savior and Lord,
then He is with you. And He will complete the
work He has begun in your life. The Bible says,
"And I am certain that God, who began the good
work within you, will continue his work until it
is finally finished on the day when Christ
Jesus returns" (Philippians 1:6, NLT).
There are many reasons I'm glad that I am
not God, one of them being that I'm the kind of
person who starts projects and forgets them. I will
be cleaning my desk and almost have it finished
when I say, "I'll do this a little bit later. I
want to do something else right now."
Aren't you glad that God isn't that way?
He would be working with me, suddenly lose
interest, and say, "I'm just a little tired of Greg. I
think I'll move on to someone else. I don't feel
like finishing Greg right now. Maybe I'll come
back later." How terrible that would be if He
left me hanging.
But He won't. God will complete the work
He has begun in our lives. He will complete the
work of making us more and more like Jesus. It
isn't over, even if you have failed, even if
you've made a mistake. You can still learn from
that mistake and, with God's supernatural help,
get out of the situation you're in and move on.
Even if you're in the hospital. Even if you're in
prison. God knows where you are at this very moment,
and He knows what you are experiencing. He is
saying to you, "Be of good courage" because He is
with you. He knows there is a brighter tomorrow
for you. [Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie re
Psalm 142:3, 5]
CLOSING PEARL
There are those who have known the pardoning
love of Christ and who really desire to be
children of God, yet they realize that their
character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they
are ready to doubt whether their hearts have
been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would
say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often
have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus
because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are
not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome
by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken
and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right
hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Said the beloved John, "These things write I unto
you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have
an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous." 1 John 2:1. And do not forget the words of
Christ, "The Father Himself loveth you." John 16:27.
He desires to restore you to Himself, to see
His own purity and holiness reflected in you.
And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He
that hath begun a good work in you will carry it
forward to the day of Jesus Christ. Pray more
fervently; believe more fully. As we come to distrust
our own power, let us trust the power of our
Redeemer, and we shall praise Him who is the health of
our countenance. SC64-5
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Philippians 1:6 - Jesus Can Do It! - Will
You Let Him?
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210715-0838.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
