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
Philippians has been a favorite book of so many throughout the years. It is a letter Paul wrote to a church he loved deeply. They partnered with him in his ministry by providing money and other things he needed as they were led to give. They did this from the very beginning of their relationship with him. You can see how Paul would love them deeply. So this letter is an expression of Paul’s thankfulness and also an attempt to encourage the Philippians towards spiritual maturity.
Paul was confident in God’s ability
There is no doubt with Paul. His confidence was in God’s ability and willingness to keep His end of the covenant deal with the Philippians. Paul had a very settled conviction that God would be faithful. One reason for this great confidence is because Paul had already experienced God’s faithfulness in his own life. In Acts 9 we read the story of Paul’s salvation experience. From that point in his life forward Paul was being “completed” or “matured” by God.
Paul understood God began the Church
When Paul said, “He Who began a good work,” he understood that it was God who began the work of the church in Philippi. Paul understood that he was a useful vessel to share the amazing news of Jesus to this town. God did an amazing work in Philippi. Since God started it, it was His covenant responsibility to finish it. I find it interesting here that God orchestrated the relationship between Paul and the church at Philippi. There was a divine influence in that relationship.
Paul knew God completed the work
Paul’s confidence about God completing the work at Philippi came not only from his own experience with God but also his knowledge that the Church doesn’t go through a one-time spiritual change. The Church is in a constant maturation process that creates confident and sure-footed Christ-followers. This maturation process is something that God does in our lives through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches and encourages Christ-followers in their growth.
Paul embraced the lifelong maturing process
Paul was clear when he said that God would bring your maturity to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. There is a day when the process of spiritual maturity ends and we then begin our eternal life with God. While God completes the work, we also have a responsibility for our maturity as well. God could make us spiritually mature at our salvation, but He chooses not to do that. He chooses to make it a lifelong process.
If you were doing a check-up on your spiritual maturity where would you be? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your maturity? I think we are all very far away from where we need to be if we are honest with ourselves. On the other hand, God partners with us to help bring us to spiritual maturity as we trust Him, read His Word, and pray.
Some Questions…
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most mature, where would you honestly rate your spiritual maturity?
How important is your spiritual maturity?
Spiritual maturity takes time, so that means you may have to substitute some things you enjoy with opportunities for spiritual growth. What are you willing to give up for your spiritual maturity?