Philippians 1:6 - "Until the Day of Jesus Christ"

Welcometo Pastor’s Chat. Today we are continuing to look at Philippians 1: 6, wherethe Apostle Paul writes, “Being confident of this very thing, that He, God,who has begun a good work in you, He will perform it until the day of JesusChrist.” So far we have talked about “being confident”.We also talked yesterday about a “good work”—the good workof salvation, the good work of transformation, the good work of sanctification.The work that God has begun, He will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.He will complete it. Todaywe want to talk about the word “until”. This reminds us that Godis not finished with us yet. Sometimes we get discouraged because we are notwhere we want to be spiritually. But we need to focus on the fact that God iscontinuously doing a work in us, “both to will and to do of His goodpleasure”. Sometimes the road gets rough. Sometimes we get discouraged.Sometimes we want to quit. I have always thought it is good to want to quit,because that simply means at least you are doing something to quit from. So, myfriend, be encouraged today as we think about this word “until the day ofJesus Christ”. This work of salvation, this work of God in our lives,continues until we see Jesus face to face. Itreminds me of several verses in Hebrews 12:1-2. “Since we are surrounded bya great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which soeasily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set beforeus.” How do we do it? “Looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisherof our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Lookingunto Jesus, the Author—the beginner—and the finisher of our faith. Alwaysremember these wonderful verses. Thenin 1 Peter 1:3-9: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hopethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” What is thisliving hope? It is “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and thatdoes not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” Verse 5—a verse Imemorized as a new Christian when I got discouraged and wondered if I couldmake it—here it is: “Who are kept by the power of God through faith forsalvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Thereit is again, like Philippians 1:6. Until the day of Jesus Christ, we are keptby the power of God—not by our own power, not by our own reasoning, our ownstrength, but by the power of God. Peter goes on to write: “In this yougreatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you are grieved byvarious trials.” But, my friend, “as you go through these trials, youare like gold that is being tested by fire, and it is found unto praise andhonor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, youlove. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joyinexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvationof your soul.” God keeps us to the end. Then,of course, 1 John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it hasnot yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed,we will be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Is that not wonderful?We have not yet reached the finish line. God’s work continues until we seeJesus face to face, and we will be like Him. Weare in process right now. We have not arrived. None of us is complete. God isstill at work. My friend, instead of focusing on how far we still have to go,remember: we are not what we used to be, and we are not yet what we are goingto be. God is still at work. Sodo not give up. Do not lose heart. The story of your life is not finished yet,because we are promised “until the day of Jesus Christ.” Godbless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!