Finish What You Started
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Phil 1:6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ
Phil 1:6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ
As we come to the end of what can only be called a tumultuous year,
Beginning with continued claims of a rigged election
an insurrection for the first time in history in an effort to thwart our election process
to the multiple strains of the COVID-19 virus
to the mistrust of competent, well trained medical personnel
to people not wanting to work because they get more money sitting at home than working
and the list goes on.
But what I’d like you to take with you into the new year is this. At a time when people just want to forget and start again. Resist that temptation.
It’s important for us to remember the lessons of the past year, because it has been shown that those who fail to remember their history, end up repeating it.
As you go into the new year remember the work Christ began in you and strive to get better.
Paul is speaking to the church at Philippi and commending them for their faithfulness in sharing the Gospel. He thanks God every time he remembers them and prays for them with joy.
Is that your pastor’s testimony about you? Is anyone joyful about you sharing the Gospel with them?
Not only does Paul have joy, he says, “I am confident of this”, he is sure about what he is getting ready to say, which is this, “the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion”.
What Paul is saying here is God, he is the one who began a good work in you, is going to finish the job and he’s not going to start over every year. You are a work in progress. So instead of starting over, build on where you are and what you’ve done.
Remember the mistakes you made, so you don’t make them again.
Remember the people who slowed you down so you can distance yourself from them.
Remember the people who told you no and you can’t and you’re not good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough, too big, too small, too black, too…you fill in the blank, so you can put them on mute.
Remember the roadblocks that were erected to stop you, so you know how to knock them down
Remember, so you can move forward toward the plan God has for you.
Remember, so you can walk in your season.
Remember, so you can walk in your calling.
As you enter 2022, remember the lessons of 2021,
take those lessons and make a plan to be better.
Strive to do more for the Lord and make life less about yourself.
Seek a partner that will help you achieve your goal; someone that will hold you accountable when you drop the ball. But not only will they hold you accountable, they’ll help you pick it back up.
Endeavor to finish what you started
So, while we are entering a new year…Remember, so when Jesus returns, when you stand before the throne of grace you hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”