December 10, 2024 

Today’s Reading: Philippians 1:2-11

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 26:20-27:13; 1 John 4:1-21

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. (Philippians 1:6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. During the season of Advent, we remember both that Christ once came in humility and that He will come again in glory. In our text, St. Paul has in mind Christ’s return in glory, which he calls “the day of Jesus Christ.” Paul is thinking about his life and the lives of the Philippians in terms of the Last Day, and he is praying for them and encouraging them to remain faithful until that day when all people must give an account. 

The Day of Judgment is a frightening concept for many people, but not for Paul. In fact, Paul speaks with great confidence about the faith and salvation of the Philippians, writing: “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.” Paul can speak with such certainty because his confidence is not in the people and their ability to save themselves but in our Lord, who began faith in them and continues that faith in them. What Paul does in this single sentence is dispel a false belief that many Christians have. 

Too many Christians think (and worry!) as though Christ and His work of dying and rising only makes salvation possible for us. You see, in addition to what Christ has done, they think there is still work we must do in order to get to heaven. But that is not what the Bible says. Jesus does not merely start something that we have to finish; salvation is God’s work from beginning to completion.

God the Father sent His Son into the world. Christ offered Himself up as an atoning sacrifice so our sins are not counted against us. It is only through faith in Jesus that anyone can be saved. But this faith is also God’s work. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who calls, gathers, and enlightens His people by breathing new life in us and causing us to trust in Christ for salvation. By the working of the Holy Spirit, we are united with Christ, and He keeps us in the one true faith until the Last Day.

Wherever the Good News of Jesus is proclaimed in truth, and The Sacraments are administered according to Christ’s instruction, there you find the Spirit at work among the people of God. There, you find people abiding in Christ and He in them. There, you find people being kept safe by the working of the Spirit until the day of Jesus Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

So, when next He comes in glory And the world is wrapped in fear, He will shield us with His mercy And with words of love draw near. (LSB 345:4)

-Rev. Joel Shaltanis, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, TX.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

What makes a church “good?” Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.