“This verse lets me know that I am a work in progress until the day of Jesus Christ. While still alive, I am never to think that I ‘have arrived’ or to think so highly of myself that I become judgmental of my brothers. This verse gives me hope that even when I fall short, things will get better. The Lord keeps me progressing, so I keep going on.”

It’s God who initiates our salvation, continues it in our lives, and one day will bring it to completion. Then why do we feel a magnetic-like pull to the idea that God saved us, so now what are we going to do for Him? Episcopal priest and theology professor Justin Holcomb said, “If you come to the Christian life believing you can do anything for God in your own strength or repay him on any level, you fall back to the self-dependent spiritual death from which Jesus saved you” (2012).

He who began a good work, God who works in you, the Lord who formed you from the womb… throughout the Bible you will find reminders that it is He who graciously saves us and sanctifies us.