God Finishes
Finish: to bring to an end; to complete; to give final touches to, embellish or perfect
The Scriptures reveal that God does not stop His work until it is finished. In Genesis 2:2 (NLT) we read. “On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.” Every speck of creation was finished. God reveals His works to us as He equips us to discover more of His creation, but it has all been there since God put on His finishing touches. Not only did God finish His creation, He finishes His work in us. In Philippians 1:6 (NLT) we read, “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.”
I will never forget watching a long-distance race one Olympic season when one of the last runners collapsed on the track. The crowd became silent as they watched the runner struggle to stand, obviously overcome with exhaustion and defeat. It was at that moment that a man bounded onto the track and ran toward the runner. I thought perhaps it was medical personnel coming to assist the runner to ensure his safety. As the man approached it became obvious that he was not there to give him medical attention. The man was the runner’s father. As he arrived at the place where his son lay, he gently took his hand, pulled him up placing his son’s arm over his shoulder. Bearing the weight of his son, they haltingly walked to the finish line. This evokes a beautiful picture of God our Father and His gift of salvation. Although mankind was lost and defeated by sin, God completed His work to reconcile a relationship with man. Jesus, hanging on the cross, cried out, “It is finished.” Victory over sin is complete as God’s offers the power of His love to save us.
We read in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (NLT) This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
Now we, too, have work that needs to be finished. In his book, Tell Someone, author Greg Laurie states that although every Christian wants to lead others to Christ, where we fall short is in closing the deal. Although we are willing to share our salvation experience we are hesitant to finish and ask that very important question, “Would you like to ask Jesus Christ into your life right now?”
And even then, our work is not complete. When Jesus had finished His work on earth He told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) This is the work that God has given us – to make disciples. Jesus tells us to disciple those He brings into our life with the assurance that He will equip us and always – even to the end of the age – be with us. Let us yield ourselves to God and finish our work.
God finished creation, He finished salvation on the cross and He finishes His works in us. From the beginning to the end, God finishes.
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. Acts 20:24 (NLT)
I am a work in progress, and I am thankful that God continues to work in and through me.
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:5,6, NLT).
God is still working on me and I’m glad that my race isn’t over until He says it is. Until then, may I continue to run my very best. ((Blessings))