“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.” – Phil 1:6
A Rebel with a Cause
For years Paul wandered in darkness, thinking he was seeing clearly. A man of great intelligence. A man of great zeal. A man the world would esteem. “Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law; blameless.” Great credentials? Rubbish. A dead man doing a dead man’s work. Working against God in the name of religion. A man God would redeem.
While Stephen was being stoned to death, Paul approved. Like guilt, the garments of the murderers were laid at Paul’s feet. From his knees, the dying Stephen lifted his eyes to heaven and saw Jesus. With his last breath, he prayed for the forgiveness of his murderers. For Stephen, Glorification awaited. With a prayer on his lips, Stephen would enter into the embrace of Jesus. His earthly tent would be traded in for a white robe and a heavenly home. However; his dying witness would remain. Jesus was about to leave His heavenly home to redeem His chosen instrument Paul. A dead man doing a dead man’s work.
A Saint with a Purpose
“Breathing threats and murder”, Paul was going the wrong way fighting the Way. On his way to Damascus to persecute the church, Jesus changed Paul’s course. The pride of Paul was no match for the radiance of Jesus. Paul was on his face before the Lord. Blinded. Paul entered Damascus humbly, guided by others. His eyes were open but he could not see. His breathing of threats and murder were replaced by prayers. Instead of killing the saints he was dependent upon them. After Paul spent three days “in the grave,” Ananias laid his hands on Paul. The scales fell from Paul’s eyes and he could see. For the first time. Paul was alive. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul was justified. I’m sure when God gave the “dead man” Paul spiritual life, Stephen approved.
The Living God began His good work in Paul. Paul once had authority from the chief priest to bind the Christians. Now he was commissioned from God to liberate the lost. Paul was now alive, “working” for the living God. And God was working in him. Paul was sure that the God who justified him would also guarantee his sanctification and glorification. How? Look at the radiance that enveloped him. Everything Jesus begins, He completes.
Jesus is the cornerstone and capstone. He is the alpha and omega. He spoke creation into being, He will destroy it with a roar. He began His earthly pilgrimage with an infant’s cry in a manger, He ended it with a cry of victory on the cross; “It is Finished”. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. “He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). “And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). “And if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may be glorified with Him” (Rom. 8:17). No wonder Paul is so sure.
Mission Accomplished
After faithfully serving God for the remainder of his life, Paul wrote these words, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all that have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7-9). No rubbish here. Amazing what happens when a dead man comes face to face with Jesus, and God begins His good work. It is even more beautiful when that work is completed. That you can be sure of! Some day we will join Paul and Stephen and the twenty four elders, and lay our crowns at Jesus feet. The God who completes will approve.
“And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.” – Rom. 8:30