The Long Obedience To God

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion” (Philippians 1:6).

The Christian life is a long obedience in the right direction.

We are saved by grace, through faith, no works or good deeds will avail. But, the Christian life is a cooperation with the Holy Spirit. He is the inspiration, the motivation, and the power. We are the doers, the ones who must put into action the things God is changing in us. He is at work in us every moment for as long as we are alive on this earth, and He uses us in our own transformations.

But, there are ups and downs.

That is why Christian living is a long obedience. It takes into account that we won’t always be at our best. It is obedience to the Spirit of God in us over the course of time. It is God telling us that He won’t give up on us when we trip over sin, when doubts and worries and fears start crowding Him out. It is God bringing us along in the right direction, closer to Him, each day as we draw nearer to heaven.

Don’t get discouraged. God takes the long view.

And He will finish what He started.