6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace .8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment ,10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:6-11
Christians are also called to grow in sanctification. God began a good work in every Christian when He saved them and reconciled them through Christ Jesus. This fact led Paul to grow in love for the people of the Philippian church as He saw their spiritual growth and maturity.
God is working in us and through us to make us more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit is using our churches, the Bible, our circumstances, and many things unseen to grow us and mature us. Our love for Christ and our love for others advances as we grow up into the fullness of Spiritual adulthood.
Ultimately, Paul instructs believers to be Spirit-filled. The Spirit of God lives in us and we belong to Him. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Therefore, God’s people should be pursuing growth in love, in wisdom, and in Christlikeness each and every day.
We Christians can have joy no matter our circumstances. Christ is with us and will never leave us. We have the precious promises of God. If Paul can learn contentment in prison, we can apprehend contentment in our lives as well!
Tony French
mrtonyfrench 