Love: A New Commandment - a Journey in PhilippiansSample

God at work

When God works, he creates. In Genesis, God created a good creation. Through the prophet Isaiah (65:17), God promises: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth.” (ESV) What is interesting is that the promise is in the present tense. When we reach the New Testament, it becomes obvious that God doesn’t replace His first creation. His work is to take the old and make it new.

This is how Paul thinks about people in Christ, including you. God is again busy with a good work, in other words, he is creating. God at work is a new creation in you. And the confidence Paul has, is that God cannot begin a work and not complete it. That includes his work in you!

What does God’s new creation look like? People carrying other people in their hearts and longing to see them. People caring for a fellow believer in prison, working together for the defense of the Gospel. People with knowledge and insight to discern what is important. Yes, contrary to popular culture, love is also about knowledge and insight. For Paul, this is what God at work in people is: overflowing love. Love isn’t your duty. It’s your identity and your destiny.

Paul writes what he thinks so that we can learn to “think after him.” Have confidence: God began a good work in you and he will complete that work. That’s why we can ask with confidence that God will grow this love that helps us to live meaningful (fruitful) lives.

Reflection Question

What gives me confidence in life?

Prayer:

Thank you, God, our Creator and Father, that you started a good work in me and that I can have confidence in you to complete your work in me. Let my love grow and overflow so that my life will bring glory to you. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.