Advent 2 (6)

Philippians 1:3–11 NIV84

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

What is meant by “the day of Christ”?

Philippians 2:14–16 NIV

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

2 Peter 3:8–14 NIV

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 NIV

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians B. Joy in Prayer (vv. 3–11)

1:6. The apostle is confident of what God has already done and knows that the God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. When God starts a work in our lives, beginning with our salvation, he will finish it. As believers, we are to grow in the Christian life becoming more like Christ each day. This is called sanctification. Spiritual growth should continue in committed believers until the day of Christ Jesus, that is until Christ returns again to the earth as the angels predicted (Acts 1:11).

Philippians, Colossians & Philemon Paul’s Prayer for the Philippian Believers / 1:3–11

1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. The verb tense indicates that Paul had been confident (that is, he had full assurance) from the first, and he was still confident to that very day, of God’s continued work to transform the lives of the Philippian believers. He refers to God; the good work refers to God’s salvation and continued perfecting of the believers. God’s goal for believers is that they be “conformed to the likeness of his Son, that [Jesus] might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29 NIV).

NO “INCOMPLETES”

Do you sometimes feel as though you aren’t making progress in your spiritual life? When God starts a project, he completes it! As with the Philippians, God will help you grow in grace until he has completed his work in your life. When you are discouraged, remember that God won’t give up on you. He promises to finish the work he has begun. When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by your shortcomings, remember and be confident in God’s promise and provision. Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to him.

God who began a good work of redemption in us will carry it on to completion throughout our lifetime and then finish it when we meet him face-to-face. God’s work for us began when Christ died on the cross in our place. His work in us began when we first believed. Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. God not only initiates our salvation, he guarantees its fulfillment (Ephesians 1:13–14). Paul was describing the process of Christian growth and maturity that began when we accepted Jesus and continues until the day of Christ Jesus (see also 1:10), that is, when Christ returns. Nothing in this life or after death can stop God’s good work in us (Romans 8:28–39). Despite any persecution the church in Philippi might face, Paul was confident that God would continue his good work in them. Paul didn’t know when the “day of Christ Jesus” would arrive, but he lived as though it could come at any moment.

Variations of the phrase “day of Christ Jesus” occur only six times in the New Testament; three of those times are in Philippians (see 1 Corinthians 1:8; 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6, 10; 2:16). The phrase emphasizes the future day when Christ will return for his church, complete believers’ salvation, and give believers their rewards. The phrase “day of the Lord” (Amos 5:18–20; 1 Thessalonians 5:2) has more of an emphasis on judgment.

Have you ever heard the expression: "Everyone dies with food on their plate"

It is a saying that means no matter how much you have in life, you will always want more or feel like you haven't quite achieved enough, even at the end of your life; it's a metaphor for the human tendency to always strive for something more, even when seemingly satisfied.

Key points about the saying:

Symbolic meaning: The "plate" represents life and its opportunities, and the "food" signifies the things we desire or need to fulfill ourselves. Implication of dissatisfaction: By saying "food on their plate" even at death, it implies that no matter how much one accomplishes, there will always be a sense of incompleteness or longing for more. Reminder to appreciate what you have: This saying can also be interpreted as a reminder to appreciate what you have in life and not constantly chase after more, as you may never feel truly satisfied.

I can certainly relate to this.

Unfinished models.

Unfinished paintings.

The family genealogy which my mother worked on, I have added to, and continues to grow.

It is human nature to begin something and in many cases get side tracked or perhaps never finish it. Perhaps you have a few of those unfinished projects yourself.

The Bible even describes our life of sanctification in this way: Philippians 1:9–11 (NIV84)

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Our goal is to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

St. Paul is confident that God will bring this to completion when Jesus returns . . . or at the end of our lives. In the mean time let it be our goal to become complete.