And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. [Philippians 1.6]
This verse is used in may circumstances and situations among Christians to assure themselves that God is with them.
While it is good that so many have found so much encouragement by this statement, it is important to understand that it really is NOT a blanket statement that God will be with us in whatever we do!
Preceding verses 4 and 5 give insight into what verse 6 is about:
Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. [Philippians 1.4-5]
The "his work" mentioned in verse 6 is defined beforehand in 4-5. The work is "spreading the Good New about Christ." It was never meant to be misconstrued that the good work was just anything we wanted it to be! The good work is the work of spreading the Good News about Jesus!
I don't want to be a bummer to anyone, but we really need to be true to the context of what Paul is saying to the church at Philippi.
It is too late in the history of the world for Christians to be "claiming" God's blessing on just anything they want to do! Jesus was very clear about the work His followers should do and He was very transparent in demonstrating that work in the three years He walked the earth.
The work every believer in Christ is called to - even commissioned to - is the promotion of the Kingdom of God as Jesus demonstrated and died to confirm. Jesus is the example we are to follow and encourage others to follow.
If what we are asking God to bless according to Philippians 1.6 does not look like the ministry of Jesus and point to the ministry of Jesus, then, I am strongly suggesting here that we are being foolish instead of faithful.
Yes, it smacks me between the eyes too...
Father, forgive me for expecting You to bless just anything I dream up.
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