Come to the Lord, who is rich in grace; approach our God, who is full of mercy. We will praise God with all our heart and glorify the name of the Most High forever.[1]
Christ completes His good work in us
Philippians 1:3-11 ESV
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 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. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Warren Wiersbe
Paul was not thinking about himself; he was thinking instead about the dear saints (set-apart ones) in far-off Philippi. Every memory was a blessing to him, including the suffering he experienced in that Philippian jail (Acts 16). As he prayed for them, he rejoiced over their salvation and growth. He knew that what Christ had begun in their lives would be completed, for Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith . . . Paul always took time to pray for people; his prayer here is that they might live full lives. An empty Christian is a tragedy! He prayed that they might be full of love and discernment; that they might be faithful in their daily walk; and that they might be fruitful in Christian service. This was a prayer for Christian maturity.[2]
Matthew Henry
Shall not we pity and love those souls whom Christ loves and pities? Those who abound in any grace, need to abound more. Try things which differ; that we may approve the things which are excellent. The truths and laws of Christ are excellent; and they recommend themselves as such to any attentive mind. Sincerity is that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and it is the glory of all our graces. Christians should not be apt to take offence and should be very careful not to offend God or the brethren. The things which most honor God will most benefit us. Let us not leave it doubtful whether any good fruit is found in us or not. A small measure of Christian love, knowledge, and fruitfulness should not satisfy any. [3]
“To Be a Christian:” An Anglican Catechism[4]
Question # 86
What are the particular ministries of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit imparts life to every living thing in creation, reveals God’s Word to his people, and calls sinners to a new life of faith in the saving and life-giving work of Jesus. The Holy Spirit unites Christians to Jesus, indwelling them, convicting them of sin, giving them spiritual gifts, and bearing spiritual fruit in their lives.
Question #87
How does the Holy Spirit strengthen you for life in Christ?
The Holy Spirit bears witness that I am a child of God, stirs my heart continually to worship and to pray, and inspires me to holiness and good works in Christ.
O Jesus, God the Son, in your incarnation you manifested your heart of mission in the world: Help me so to know and practice your presence, that I may always live for your glory and the spread of your Kingdom; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.[5]
All of Our Tomorrows
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. [6]
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] The Worship Sourcebook, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 2004, p. 555.
[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 560–561.
[3] Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Php 1:8.
[4] To Be a Christian: An Anglican Catechism. © 2020 The Anglican Church in North America
[5] A Prayer for the Son’s Mission. “To Be a Christian: An Anglican Catechism,” p. 46.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 139:16.
