Read: Philippians 1:3-11
Memory Verse: Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
I’ve never been in the military, but I have known many people who have joined and one thing is certain—joining the military changes you. This isn’t necessarily a good or a bad change, per se, but rather a necessary change. To be a part of this nations fighting force you cannot continue to be a normal civilian with no military training. This is fundamentally why all new recruits must go through BMT or Basic Military Training.
From what I understand about BMT it is more than a simple training time of learning how to put on your uniform or understanding regulations. Rather, it is a specific, focused time of getting started with a military career by taking normal, everyday people and changing them to be soldiers (or sailors, marines, airmen, etc.). This training time is designed to put these men and women who have joined the military on a new path with a specific destination in mind—to be an asset to the US Government to defend this nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
As effective as BMT is, however, it’s not the end in and of itself but rather a beginning. Once they’ve finished BMT, a new soldier will then head on to another school or training to begin learning to do a more specific job. Then, as their military career progresses the schools, training, academies, and exercises continue to come in the path of a soldier looking to continue their career. What is interesting about these schools is that again, they are very focused and specific. They provide a path and direction for the soldier to continue growing in their job, leadership skills, and ability to perform their duties to the best of their ability. These growth points are taking the journey that was begun all the way back in BMT and continuing to perform it until the fulfillment of that soldier’s career in the military.
In the same way, Paul describes our Christian life as a journey. In our passage, Paul celebrates the Philippian Christians and how they have been a partner to him in the ministry of the Gospel. Paul makes a specific statement: “I am confident that God isn’t done working in you yet.” Just like the military is never finished developing its soldiers, God is never finished developing us as Christians. We are His work and He is constantly forming us through the power of the Gospel to know Him more, to live for Him, and to serve Him.
Mediation for the Day: What is the “good work” that Paul references in verse 6? Why is Paul so confident in this “good work”?
Assignment: Write down some of the ways that God’s “good work” has begun transforming your life. Write down some ways you believe God wants to continue transforming you.
For Fun: Imagine yourself as a literal recruit in the army of God. What would be some of the training exercises in this army’s BMT?