For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 1:6

We are not the ones who began God’s work in our lives, and we are not the ones who are going to finish it. God is. What an incredible promise! This is why the writer of Hebrews says Jesus is “the author and perfecter of faith.” He began it, and He is going to finish it! 

In the beginning of our faith walk, we know that the Lord is the One who saved us, but somehow along the way we start thinking that we have to perfect ourselves by our own good works. But Paul said, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” In other words, don’t substitute your faith for works because you weren’t saved by works. You are saved because God has been merciful to you, and He will perfect the work He began in you. 

Paul also said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves.” I know there are times when we feel weak and doubt our own faith, but the Bible says when we are faithless, He remains faithful. God is faithful, beloved one. He that began the good work in you will complete it. 

Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider, Entering His Presence (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2023), Used by permission.