December 6, 2018
To read full passage click: Philippians 1:3-8 …“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.” vs. 6
Paul was so proud of the congregation in Philippi. He hadn’t spent much time there, but he’d obviously been effective in proclaiming the gospel, and the people had taken it to heart. Everything that he heard was positive and his letter to them is effusive in his praise. They had proven themselves to be a generous and loving community and Paul prays for their continued growth in holiness. His words are instructive for us. No matter who we are, the Holy Spirit has been at work in our daily journey, constantly encouraging us in faith and strengthening us in service. We’re like a planted garden, constantly growing and maturing, regularly showing forth love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. That doesn’t mean that we can’t get off track and wander from the path of righteousness. We’re all too familiar with the way that can happen in this temptation-filled world of selfish consumption. The cultural demons are hard at work even in this Advent season, to distort the purity of the Jesus-message and obscure it with glitz and glamour. But the Spirit never deserts us, and constantly encourages us to return to the good work that has begun among us. It really is a magnificent calling! In the midst of all the conflict and turmoil, we are the hope of the world!
Thought for the Day: What good work will I be doing today?
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