The Key to Spiritual Growth

“I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” 
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Do you ever feel like your spiritual life is not making progress? It can happen when we get discouraged, exhausted, and overwhelmed. You’re not alone if you’ve felt that way before or if you feel that way now. When I feel that way, I’m reminded of the promise in Philippians 1:6 (NLT), “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” This verse holds the key that unlocks spiritual growth in our lives. It gives me hope and confidence that God is not finished. He hasn’t given up on me, and He hasn’t given up on you! It also takes the pressure off when I realize that spiritual growth is not all up to me.    

If spiritual growth were solely up to us, we would be in trouble. The Bible tells us that the very God who began His good work within us is the same God who will continue that work until it is finished on the day when Jesus Christ returns! What a relief it is to know that spiritual growth is His business. He does a deeper work in us so that He may do a greater work through us. It’s a process that will continue until it is finished on the day Christ Jesus returns. That reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw one time that said, “Please be patient with me, God is not through with me yet!” 

We are all under construction as God shapes us into the very image of His Son - the Lord Jesus Christ. And God promises to finish the work He began. When you feel incomplete, undone, or distressed by your failures, remember God’s promise in Philippians 1:6 to continue the GOOD work He began in you when you trusted Jesus as your Savior. Even when I feel like I am not making any progress, God is still at work. Stay connected with God moment by moment and let Him complete what He began and rejoice that it is His business!