“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:”
Philippians 1:6 KJV
We, especially as Believers, want to believe “we” are the ones who perform or do a good work. It is true in the fact when we are “in God” we have surrendered to Him and he uses us to do God’s good work, but ultimately it’s God’s work.
I know you are thinking, what do you mean? You are being “super deep” or trying to split hairs, but I am not.
In John 1:13 the words says “which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”(John 1:13 KJV)
When we confess God to be our personal savior, baptized in water and given the gift of the Holy Ghost, God’s good work that has begun is salvation. Once we have salvation, a true, real genuine relationship with God, then He begins a work. Paul said he is “confident” or in other words “firmly persuaded” that he will see this thing all the way through to the end or the day he returns. So in other words whatever God begins, he finishes.
So does that mean once you are in God, you are always in God? No. See when God begins something, he always finishes it, but that doesn’t mean when you begin something you always finish it. And just because you “join” anything doesn’t mean you remain in it either. This is just evidence that salvation has to be a “true” and “genuine” relationship (connection) with God so HEcan do the work. When we just go through the motions regarding salvation and we do the work (without God) it’s us. We can’t possibly do salvation without God and believe me people are trying to. In plain English, you CANT fake salvation, it has to be all HIM.
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV)
There will be a day when God will open the book (Bible) and compare our works and our heart to His word and those who “pretended” will be found out. What will confound them is they will speak of their works alone and forget that works alone can not save you. You can’t just perform good works and believe they will cause you to be saved. It doesn’t work like that. See what’s on the inside (in the heart) should cause an outward display of good works and not the other way around.
People who “play church,” who quote scripture, who lead praise and worship and unfortunately some of those who call themselves shepherds and lead flock will be found out by God and He will tell them he never knew them because the works alone can’t save them. There was no real connection or relationship with God and therefore no real salvation. See in these scenarios or situations, God was never involved, it was simply a show.
Yes we as Believers all fall short of the glory or miss the mark, intentionally and unintentionally sin and sometimes even fall into a backslidden state but we CANT stay there. But know everyday God allows you to breathe, open your eyes and live is time or space he’s given for us to repent and get it right! But when we REFUSE to repent, when we REFUSE to change our ways, when we REFUSE to come back to God, we have to ask ourselves were we ever REALLY in God?
There are SO MANY scriptures that tells us God will NEVER leave us nor forsake us. “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
Another scripture says “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20 KJV)
So there are a plethora of scriptures that remind us of God’s promise that he will never leave us as well as reminding us nothing can separate us from His love for us. And since there is no wrong in God, that leaves the problem must be US!
So when we are not “in God” what has caused the disconnect? The real question is were these people ever truly Believers?
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits...” (Matthew 7:15-16 KJV)
Unfortunately many of these “Believers” were not Believers at all. They were simply going through the motions and doing the works for self gratification. They were doing works to get the glory that belongs to God. You can usually recognize these wolves in sheep’s clothing because their message, their words and their actions lead you in a “broad” way to heaven. Their description of God’s love does not include Him being just or include accountability. Getting into heaven seems like an easy yellow brick road we take delight in skipping down. They lead you to believe everyone around you is most likely going to Heaven.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)
You can live any way you want in life. It is your life to live, but you better understand that living any kind of way has its consequences. It leads to destruction, spiritual death and/or hell. The word “strait” had many meanings for the definition, but the words I seen repeatedly was “narrow” and “difficult to find”.
To live a life that’s pleasing to God, you must first know who God is. You can’t assume you know and understand how God desires you to live if you don’t spend time praying and reading and dissecting His word. You can’t live a life that’s pleasing to God if you don’t even know Him and even more so if he doesn’t know you.
God always finishes what he begins as he is faithful to His word. He’s a God who cannot lie so he’s going to do whatever he says he’s going to do. Therefore, he cannot finish a work HE never begun. Make sure when you profess salvation, that it includes GOD as any other way is absolutely pointless.