Today we begin worship meditating on:
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
The ESV seems to imply the work started, but it may have stopped, but assures us that it will be completed at the return of Christ. The NASB has does similar, assuring us that the work will complete just in time:
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.
It is tough to convey both things that are going on. The first is perfection (epiteleō) and second is progression (achri). But some translations do combine the two ideas fabulously:
. . . being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Paul goes on to explain the process:
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
As we understand our own imperfection and our personal lack of progress, it is joy to know God will continue His patient perfection of us until it is truly complete. We simply must commit:
Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
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