A Good Work. 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:” It began with the testimony of some faithful men. In the streets of Philippi, they repeatedly proclaimed the truth of the Gospel as they witnessed to the citizens. From prison, Paul recalls when Lydia and other women went down to the river to pray. The preachers came there and spoke to those women that day, and those who had gathered to pray listened to their words as they publicly testified to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
Then, afterward, there was a tumult, and the preachers were put in prison; the jailer and the other prisoners heard them sing and praise the God they knew, even though they were chained and their feet were in stocks. When God saves sinners, He forgives them and makes life brand new for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The jailer and his household believed when they were told Jesus would save them from their sins.
The Gospel spread from the first town in that land to other places and to those who were saved; there was a joyful community of Christians from the very beginning. Concern for their fellow men made fellowship in the Gospel a priority to them. They loved those who first brought the Gospel and supported them. Paul praised the Lord for their obvious thirst for God's work and the Gospel, and they cared deeply for souls cursed by sin. He hoped to see them again face to face, longing for the saints in that place to stay united and joyful in the Lord. There is a bond with those we take time to know and share with about how we have been saved when we tell them of redeeming grace.
It is neither a sham nor a sentimental act when we honor those God has first saved. When the messenger brings God's truth and finds those the sovereign God has chosen, that fellowship in the Gospel forever unites us. We hear their names and turn to prayer with intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. We picture in our minds those loved ones gathered at the table with the bread and cup to share, and we thank the Lord for those we carry in our hearts.
The “good work” that started with preaching the Gospel in Philippi was still going on ten years later while Paul was in prison in Rome. The work of spreading the Gospel will continue until our Lord Jesus Christ comes. Then, He will fully complete His work in His people once the goal has been achieved. The outreach to “all the world” with the Gospel and the establishment of New Testament churches for the safety and growth of God’s people will be finished when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
All these truths remain valid today as we think and pray for all the saints. Believers continue to enjoy the Gospel. Emotions have their place in us when directed toward others. Thoughts of God's people, our fellowship in Christ, the love that constrains us, and our unity in Jesus Christ inspire praise and worship from our hearts, even in difficult circumstances. Praising the saints for their strength to resist pressures to conform and for their impact on others is an important way to encourage God's people. Genuine praise for a consistent witness and concern for spreading the Gospel motivate our fellow saints. All saints need to remember we are in Christ. All believers are capable of being effectively used by the Lord. Everyone has meaningful work that keeps us focused on what matters. All of us partake in God's grace, which flows from the Source of grace to us whenever it is needed. Everyone has a genuine interest. A proof of our authenticity is "Do I love the brethren?"