God Finishes What He Starts

When God begins a work, He always completes it. In Acts 16, we meet Lydia, a successful woman with her own business and a nice house in Philippi. She had an interest in religion—and then she was changed (Acts 16: 14-15). What happened? God began a work. Later in the same chapter, we see a Philippian jailer come off his night shift also radically changed (v 30-34). What happened? Again, God began a work. We can imagine, then, that when Lydia or the jailer were tempted to give up, the word of God through Paul’s letter to Philippi was there to remind them: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). In other words, you didn’t start the work within you, and you aren’t going to finish it. If you feel that you can’t keep going, you’re right. You can’t. But God did, and He can, and He will.” —Alistair Begg, Truth For Life

Let this sink in: He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It’s a promise we can stand on! Life is a journey of growth, refinement, and transformation in Christ. The good work God has started in us will not be abandoned but carried through to completion. This promise reminds us that our spiritual progress is not solely dependent on our own efforts but on God’s unwavering faithfulness. Even when we struggle with doubt, failure, or slow growth, God is still at work, shaping us into the image of Christ. His grace sustains us, and His purpose for us is never left unfinished.

This verse also invites us to trust in God’s timing and process. We may not always see immediate results, but He is steadily refining us, often in ways we cannot perceive. Just as a master artist patiently crafts a masterpiece, God is molding our character, strengthening our faith, and preparing us for His purposes. When challenges arise, we can hold onto this truth: God is not finished with us yet. Our hope is in His promise that one day, we will stand complete in Christ, fully transformed by His love and power. —DH