Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Studies in Philippians

April 4, 2004!

OUR SO GREAT SALVATION

Philippians 1:6

God’s work of salvation is comprehensive. It is stated in various ways in the New Testament. We say that God’s salvation is three-fold: past, present and future. God saved us from the penalty of sin through Christ’s redeeming work in dying for us on the cross (past), God’s work in saving us from the power and control of sin through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit (present), and God saves us from the very presence of sin by taking us out of this world when He comes for us at the rapture (future). Philippians 1:6 explains this same three-fold work of God in our behalf in these terms: “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” I note first of all that Paul is confident. He is confident about one thing - the salvation that was begun in the lives of believers will be continued or perfected in our lives until the day when it will be finally completed. Let’s examine the three phases of salvation talked about in this powerful little verse.

A Good Work is Commenced – This takes in a great deal. It includes regeneration (Titus 3:5; John 3:3); forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7); justification (Romans 5:1) reconciliation (5:10) and many more. This statement is inclusive of every thing God accomplished in our lives when we believed in Jesus Christ. This might be summed up in Acts 16:3 where Paul replied to the question of the Philippian jailor, ”believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

However, this good work only begins here. God plans on taking us from the beginning throughout the remainder of our day by day existence.

A Good Work is Continued - this includes the Holy Spirit’s day-to-day activity in the believer’s life. You don’t become more saved through His work – your salvation is being perfected or worked out. This aspect of God’s work includes many phases such as witnessing for Him (Acts 1:8), and serving Him in the body with our spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 12; Romans 12; I Peter 4:10,11). It involves growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18). This continued work of the Holy Spirit involves His day by day work in conforming us to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).

A Good Work is Completed “until the day of Christ Jesus”. Thus God finishes the work He started. This involves receiving our glorified body (Philippians 3:20,21) – full and complete conformity to the Lord Jesus Christ.

There was no doubt in Paul’s mind that God would complete what He started in the lives of His people. Beloved, God never leaves His work incomplete. He never sets you aside. Just remember, if God brought you up to this point in your life, He will take you through the remainder of your time on earth and into eternity. What a promise of security God has given to His church. If Paul was confident, so we too can be confident. Every moment of the believer’s life is loaded with significance. So beloved, let’s rejoice in our so great salvation. It’s free to us but it cost God everything. God bless.

Love in Christ,