The God Who Finishes What He Starts
Sometimes I think we ask the question, “How can we be confident God is still working in us, me—even when growth feels slow? Philippians 1:6 reminds us that salvation and sanctification are secured by God’s faithfulness, not our performance.
Salvation Begins and Ends with God
Dear Friends,
Philippians 1:6 is one of the most hope-filled promises in Scripture. Let’s read it again:
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
Paul’s confidence is not in the Philippians’ determination, maturity, discipline, or spiritual consistency. His confidence rests in God.
Salvation begins with God: “He who began…” The new birth is His work, and regeneration is His initiative. Grace precedes our response. The God who begins is the God who completes. How often do we live as though spiritual growth depends primarily on us? When we stumble, regress, or see persistent sin, we panic or perhaps despair, even wondering if change is even possible. But Paul anchors assurance in divine sovereignty. The good work of salvation — from conversion to glorification — is carried by God’s faithful hand. And we can say, “Hallelujah!” to that.
Confidence That Produces Perseverance
When we understand the glory of Jesus and salvation, the promise of Philippians 1:6 does not produce passivity. It produces perseverance in the one who loves Jesus. Because God is committed to finishing His work in us, rather than despairing, we are free to press on even when growth feels slow.
Think about the women reading this letter in Philippi. They lived in a pagan culture and faced persecution. I think we can know their struggles by the ones Paul addresses throughout his letter to them. There were many because, as beloved as they were to Paul, they were not perfect. Later in this letter, Paul will address the conflict between two women (Philippians 4:2). This church had real struggles.
Yet Paul is confident because their salvation does not ultimately depend on their grip on God, but on God’s grip on them. Such truth is profound comfort in hard places.
When You Feel Like You’re Not Growing
When you feel stuck in a pattern.
When you feel purposeless, unappreciated, and unloved.
When you feel left out, alone, and forgotten.
When you feel weary of fighting sin.
When motherhood stretches you thin.
When grief dulls your spiritual appetite.
Remember, friends, God is not finished. This truth has carried me through dark times, whether it was when I was a young mother, fearful I would ruin my children, or juggling too many tasks, dealing with anger or bitterness toward a friend, or learning to live without our youngest child, Mark.
The “day of Christ Jesus” points forward to final glorification - when faith becomes sight, sin is no more, and Christ completes what He began.
In the meantime, God is transforming or sanctifying us. Sanctification is the process of being set apart by God for His purpose and transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, separating from sin and growing in holiness. Sanctification is often slow, but it is certain.
Walking by Faith in Ongoing Sanctification
Salvation is being set apart by God — forgiven and redeemed. Walking by faith - progressive sanctification — is an ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus. Walking by faith means trusting God’s long-term commitment to your soul, even when daily progress seems invisible. It also shapes how we see others. How many of you are fervently praying for loved ones who are struggling with heavy hearts, depression, out of control emotions, or difficult relationships? I am! This scripture reminds me that if God is at work in her, I do not need to despair when she struggles. I can pray with confidence for the Lord to “finish what He started.”
This promise humbles us because the good work is not self-generated; it is grace-driven.
Our perseverance is actually evidence of His power.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
• When discouraged by your spiritual growth, return to Philippians 1:6.
• Thank God specifically for beginning His work in you.
• Pray this promise over a struggling believer.
God’s faithfulness outlasts our weakness.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that my salvation does not rest on my strength. Thank You for beginning a good work in me. When I grow weary, remind me that You are not finished. Strengthen my faith to trust Your sovereign grace until the day of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.
