And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Phil. 1:6 (NLT)
Heavenly Father, here’s a huge understatement: I am so thankful “salvation is of the Lord,” from beginning to end. We were dead in our sins and trespasses when you gave us new life in Jesus. It was your delight, not our deserving, that brought us complete forgiveness and righteousness in Christ, and the sealing and indwelling us of your Spirit. THANK YOU.
But I wish the process of becoming more like Jesus wouldn’t take so long—first of all in me, and (especially) in other people I love. Quite honestly, at times it’s harder for me to trust you’ll finish your work of salvation in others, than in me. Forgive my arrogance and unbelief, Lord. Help me be more trusting of your work in the lives of others.
When I don’t live with Paul’s certainty about your commitment to mature each of your children, I don’t love well. I become more aware of what “bugs” me in the lives of others, than what encourages me. I get more impatient than accepting, more rigid than relational, and more condescending than compassionate. I start making unnecessary observations, offering unhelpful criticisms, and giving unrequested suggestions—the very things I hate for people to do toward me.
Father, have mercy on me. Free me to accept others the way you have accepted me in Jesus. It’s one thing for me to “provoke others to love and good deeds,” (Heb. 10:24) and quite another to motivate them to avoid me. By your grace, help me offer others a non-anxious presence, your welcoming heart, and genuine encouragement. I know you’re not calling us to naiveté and passivity; but I also know you’re not calling any of us to do the work only the Spirit can do. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ glorious and grace-full name.
