What God Begins Shall Be Fully Done
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 7/2/2017 PM |
Text: | Philippians 1:6 |
Psalters: | 229, 250, 381, 52 |
Confession of Faith and Baptism |
- The beginning.
- What “good work” has God begun in us? It is the work of saving us from the greatest evil and giving us the greatest good.
- There is a work FOR us, which God has already accomplished.
- Our text speaks of the work of salvation IN us, i.e., inside His people by His Spirit.
- This work is “good,” because it accomplishes what it is designed to do; it accomplishes God’s purpose.
- What “good work” has God begun in us? It is the work of saving us from the greatest evil and giving us the greatest good.
- God “will perform,” i.e., bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete.
- The clear implication is that this good work of salvation in us is all God’s work.
- This is the truth of the preservation of the saints.
- Not one of those in whom a work of grace has begun will ever perish or fall away.
- Every one of them will persevere through every uncertainty, difficulty, and opposition till the day of Jesus Christ.
- This comforting truth is taught elsewhere in Scripture.
- Thus we may be “confident,” be persuaded and trust.
- Sadly there are some who take away a believer’s comfort by teaching that the work of salvation begins with man’s choice.
- Our text puts our confidence in God and in Jesus (not in man)!
- God performs His work in us “until the day of Jesus Christ.”
- Thus every believer, who yet lives in this world with a sinful nature, may be confident of his salvation and place in glory.
- This truth produces, not presumptiveness, nor remissness, but humility, godliness, and patience (Canons V-12,13).