Philippians 1:6 – “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi, he was not sitting in comfort. He was confined in a Roman prison, chained because he refused to stop speaking about Jesus. Yet from that unlikely place, he sent a message overflowing with confidence and hope.
In his letter (what we now know as the book of Epistle to the Philippians), Paul wrote these powerful words:
“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)
Notice the certainty. Not wishful thinking. Not a hopeful guess. Paul said, “I am certain.”
That certainty wasn’t rooted in human strength. It wasn’t based on circumstances, because his circumstances were bleak. It was anchored in the character of God.
HE STARTED IT
Before we talk about finishing, we have to talk about beginnings.
Who started this thing we call life?
Who set the galaxies in motion and hung the stars in their place?
Who shaped oceans, sculpted mountains, and breathed life into humanity?
Who decided that you would exist at this exact moment in history?
God did.
Your life is not an accident. Your personality is not random. Your gifts are not mistakes. The way you think, the burdens you carry, the dreams that stir in your heart, none of it is by chance.
Long before you ever took your first breath, God had already begun a work.
Before you could walk, He was guiding your steps.
Before you could speak, He was writing your story.
Before you ever thought about seeking Him, He was already reaching for you.
Sometimes we assume that our spiritual journey began the day we “found” God. But the truth is, He was never lost. He had been pursuing us all along. He started it.
WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE WASTING TIME
There are seasons when life feels slow, stalled, or even pointless. You may look at others and think they are advancing while you are simply surviving. You may feel like you’re taking up space rather than fulfilling a purpose.
But God does not waste materials, and He certainly does not waste people.
Even in hidden seasons, He is working.
When Paul wrote Philippians, the Church might have wondered how a man in prison could fulfil a purpose. Yet that prison cell became a pulpit. That confinement became a catalyst. What looked like a limitation became legacy.
If God can work through prison walls, He can certainly work through your waiting season.
Growth is not always visible. Foundations are laid underground before buildings rise above ground. In the same way, God often does His deepest work in places no one else sees.
GOD IS A FINISHER
We live in a world of unfinished projects: half-read books, abandoned goals, broken promises. People start strong and fade fast. Plans begin with enthusiasm and end with exhaustion.
But God is not like us.
What He begins, He completes.
When He started shaping you, He did not intend to stop halfway. When He placed His purpose inside you, He did not mean for it to remain undeveloped. When He began transforming your heart, He was not experimenting. He was building something eternal.
Philippians 1:6 reminds us that our growth is not self-powered. Yes, we respond. Yes, we cooperate. Yes, we choose obedience and trust. But the sustaining power (the faithful, steady, unwavering commitment to finish the work) belongs to God.
Your weaknesses do not intimidate Him.
Your setbacks do not surprise Him.
Your delays do not derail Him.
He saw the end from the beginning.
THE STORY ISN’T OVER
There is something deeply comforting about knowing your story is still being written.
You may look at parts of your life and see loose ends. You may see chapters filled with mistakes, detours, and pain. But those chapters are not the conclusion.
Paul pointed to a future day, the day Christ returns, when the work will be fully complete. That means what you see right now is still in progress.
You are not a finished product.
You are a masterpiece in motion.
Every challenge is shaping you.
Every trial is refining you.
Every act of faith is building something eternal.
God is forming Christlike character in you; patience where there was once impatience, compassion where there was once indifference, courage where there was once fear.
The process may be uncomfortable, but it is purposeful.
OUR RESPONSE
If God is committed to finishing what He started, how should we live?
First, with trust. When circumstances shake you, remember that your future is anchored in a faithful God.
Second, with surrender. Let Him shape you. Let Him correct you. Let Him grow you. Transformation requires cooperation.
Third, with focus. Magnify Him in what you do: at work, at home, in quiet moments no one applauds. Faithfulness in small things prepares you for greater things.
Finally, with hope. Even when progress feels slow, believe that something eternal is happening beneath the surface.
You may not see the full picture yet. You may not understand every delay.
But you can be certain of this:
He started it.
And He will finish it.
So, keep walking.
Keep trusting.
Keep believing.
The Author of your faith is still writing,
And He never leaves a story incomplete.
Amen.
SIX KEY TAKEAWAY POINTS
God initiated the good work in your life long before you recognised it:
Your existence and purpose are intentional, not accidental.
Seasons of waiting or struggle do not mean stagnation:
God often works most deeply in hidden places.
Spiritual growth is not self-powered but sustained by God’s faithfulness:
What He begins, He carries through to completion.
Your current chapter is not your final chapter:
The story of your life is still unfolding.
Transformation is a process that requires trust and surrender:
God shapes character over time with eternal purpose.
Hope rests in God’s unchanging nature, not changing circumstances:
He started the work, and He will finish it.
