By Reverend J. Loren Russell
Philippians 1:6 GNT
“And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.”
When Christ sacrificed His life on the cross, it completed His assignment. It was available to free humanity from the everlasting consequences of their sin. The only requirement to be a part of that freedom is a belief in the redemptive power of His sacrifice, or what believers call faith.
While His sacrifice completed His assignment, the work goes on. The world did not come to an end after Christ died on the cross. People who were living at that time and those of us who were born after that fateful day, must hear the significance of and the redemptive power of His sacrificial death. This is true whether the message of redemption is believed or not. There is no requirement or mandate that anyone believe, only a desire of God that all would receive it in faith. There is no force or coercion. God simply desires that everyone embrace it. And so, to spread the word, people like those of the Philippian church, are used by God to help sustain others like Paul who are in the world preaching and teaching about the completed assignment at the cross. The Philippians were not the ones who were doing the preaching or the teaching, but they were the ones who provided whatever was needed to complete the work. Every believer has work to do. So, Paul writes to the Philippian church to let them know the work that the Lord began in them would continue until the day it is finished and Christ returns as He promised He would.
Paul thought he was speaking literally, but it was figurative. The work that began with the Philippian faithful continues in believers today and will go on until the day of Christ’s triumphant return. His completed assignment on the cross makes it possible for us to complete the work we were given; with the full assurance we will be victorious. In verse 28, Paul confirms victory and emboldens the church by saying, “Don’t be afraid of your enemies; always be courageous, and this will prove to them that they will lose and that you will win, because it is God who gives you the victory.” Do your work and stand firm in the completed assignment of Christ on the cross.
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial Strategy & Consulting; an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; creator & host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook LIVE and author of Matters of Faith: The Book (eBook available at Smashwords)
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