I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ! Philippians 1:6 TPT
Context:
The letter to the church in Philippi was written by Paul and Timothy, addressed to the entire body of Christ there, irrespective of age, gender or tribal origin. The message of Christ is not restricted to boundaries; Jesus did not die for a specific kind of people. He died for all men, and the offer of life is made to all men, and all who come to embrace that life, no matter how terrible their past is, receive that life. Have you embraced this life?
For all of Paul's letters, the tripod of grace, mercy and peace of God featured prominently. The walk of faith cannot be done without this tripod. No man comes to God on the basis of intellect or influence; we come because the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. We come to God because his mercy cleared the way for us by the cross. If I have then received all of God's gift by his grace, where then is the place of pride or boasting, as if my labour of striving earned those things for me?
Message and Response:
It is that grace that is the foundation, pillars and frame of today's extract. All of us who are alive are products of grace, no matter what our salvation experience is. If I have met Christ, it is by grace. If I have not, it is by grace that you are kept alive so you can make that decision. There is a warning though: the fact that people die daily is a stark reminder that this grace has an expiry date. We were not promised eternity on this side of earth and with this earthly, sinful, mortal body. We have a specific timeline, which is NOW, to embrace the free grace of God. The next minute after you read this might be too late.
If you have embraced and accepted that work of grace, God has already began a work in you. He is the One who initiates and sustains the work of grace in a man's life. It is called grace because works, labour and connection cannot secure that work for you. Otherwise, man will boast as if he had anything to do with the work of God in him. Then another warning: I cannot embrace the grace of God to start the journey, and then think that I can make the rest of the journey outside of the grace of God.
This is a journey that from start to finish is about the grace of God. It is God who births and sustains it, and is able to bring it to completion on the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not a journey that you can determine its end, but on a personal level, you can decide to limit its operation in your own life. It does not mean it is not at work; it is just that you have decided not to allow the free flow of grace that is possible for all who have embraced Christ.
A day is coming when Jesus will be fully unveiled. A day is coming when the full benefits of grace will be revealed. A day is coming when the full work of grace will be fully manifested and concluded in us, when our mortal bodies will be changed to immortal ones and death, sickness, hell, the grave and the devil will have no power over all who are under the grace of God. This is God's perspective, not mine: it is grace that seals this work, and if I will get all of it, I must get all of the grace that is available in Christ.
He does not leave you the same way he met you; there is a process of maturing, a journey of discovery that he takes me on. It is his desire to make his life fully known and revealed in me; it is of no use if his grace cannot lead me to eternal life. Paul was a direct beneficiary of this grace, and we see the mighty things that this grace helped him do. Paul knew very clearly how he was able to do the things he did, and he gave all the glory to God for that grace. It is still the same God and the same grace, with the same end in view.
That maturing will NEVER be concluded until Jesus is unveiled and revealed. I cannot rest on my oars or look at all that I have 'accomplished' and think that there is nothing more to add. Grace is the key to all that God promises here. Have I embraced that grace? Am I walking in it on a daily basis or am I struggling with juggling a number of options? Remember, it is only the grace of God that can unveil, reveal and bestow all that God offers. Nothing else will work. His time of favour is here.
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