December 15
The Call to
Perseverance
Philippians 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.
Daily Steps
The final synthesis of the Christian life must address the future: how can the new believer maintain the dynamic living (Day 350) required by faith and action over a lifetime? This verse provides the ultimate assurance—The Lasting Promise of God's faithfulness—declaring that the transformative good work that began at salvation is not reliant on our strength, but on God's enduring commitment to completion.
The peace in this principle is found in guaranteed completion:
The Divine Initiator: The confidence is in he who began a good work in you. This confirms that our redemption (Day 225) and spiritual life are entirely initiated by God (The Ultimate Love, Day 218). The "good work" is the process of sanctification (The Call to Holiness, Day 314)—being made more like Christ.
The Divine Finisher: The assurance is that God will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. This is the truth that fuels perseverance (Day 337) and steadfastness (Day 339). It means that despite our failures, God's commitment to our eternal security (Day 297) is unwavering, culminating when Christ returns (Day 306).
The Basis for Confidence: This promise of guaranteed completion gives us immense hope (Day 341). We are not saved by our works, but our works are the evidence of the transforming power (Day 279) of the Holy Spirit (Day 320) actively working within us. This removes the burden of striving and replaces it with the freedom of disciplined effort (Day 334) powered by God.
Your peace is secured by guaranteed completion. Embrace Living by Synthesis today by resting in the confidence that God, not you, is responsible for finishing the good work He started. Let this promise fuel your diligence (Day 292) and your active life of faith and action (Day 350) today.
Reflective Question
What area of your life or character are you currently most discouraged about because you feel you lack perseverance? How can you replace that discouragement with the confidence that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency toward self-reliance and my fear of failure in the spiritual life. I thank You for the great confidence that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. I pray for the grace to live today with diligence and without fear, trusting entirely in Your faithfulness to finish what You started. Secure my peace today in this guaranteed completion. Amen.
