God Finishes What He Starts

"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)

Normally, when I read this verse, I think of the theological doctrine of eternal security; i.e., once saved, always saved.  Make no mistake, this verse supports that doctrine; in fact, I would say it's one of the two or three verses that come to mind when I need to demonstrate the Biblical doctrine of eternal security.  Look at what Paul writes.  Paul states his absolute confidence ("I am sure of this") that God will complete the work He has started.  Theologically speaking, what God begins, He finishes.  In the afterlife, no one will be able to say, "You know, God began working on me, but He got fed up and moved on to someone else."  God finishes what He starts!

But I want to take a slightly different approach to this passage.  The overall theme of the book of Philippians is joy; not in people or circumstances, but in Christ.  Taking that into account, how does that reflect on this passage?  Well, if God promises to finish what He starts, isn't that a source of great joy?

I want to talk about joy for a moment.  People sometimes confuse joy with happiness.  Happiness is something that is usually dictated by your circumstances.  I can be happy because I won a million dollars, or I can be unhappy because I lost my wallet.  In other words, happiness is an emotion.  Joy is not an emotion; it is a fruit of the Spirit ("love, joy, peace, etc.).  You are either joyful or not.  People or circumstances cannot alter your joy, only you can.  If you are filled with the Spirit, then joy comes as a result, and from joy comes happiness.

Paul was under house arrest in Rome when he wrote this letter, yet when you read it, all you see is Paul talking about how joyful he was, or telling the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord.  How can a person be joyful in Paul's circumstances?  It is precisely because Paul didn't find his joy in his circumstances, but in Jesus Christ Himself.  Paul was joyful because he knew the truth that God will bring to completion the good work He started.

Have a joyful weekend!

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