50-Philippians

Philippians 1:1-11

Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus,
to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi,
with the bishops and deacons:
grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God upon my every remembrance of you,
always praying every prayer of mine with joy
because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
I am convinced of this:
that he who began a good work in you
will accomplish it by the day of Jesus Christ.
It is right for me to think this way about you all,
because I hold you in my heart,
for both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel,
you are companions in my grace.

For God is my witness,
how intensely I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
So this I pray,
that your love may increase yet more and more
with full knowledge and all discernment
that you may determine what is excellent,
so that you may be pure and faultless at the day of Christ,
being filled with the fruit righteousness for the sake of Jesus Christ
and for the glory and praise of God.

Reflection for Today on Philippians

“I am convinced of this: that he who began a good work in you will accomplish it by the day of Jesus Christ.”

There’s the old saying “Be patient with me; God isn’t finished with me yet.” The truth of this is evident in both what Paul writes in this passage as well as in our own lived experience.  And for this truth, I am truly grateful.  I thank God every day that he is not finished with me.  There are still too many flaws and imperfections yet in me, and I pray that God will ultimately rid me of them.  This passage gives me hope that this is actually being accomplished in my life.

Quote for Today
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry