...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.

...you have a special place in my heart.

...I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. 

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ...

Philippians 1:3-11 NLT

While Paul looked back and encouraged his people, he was also looking forward.

It's good to declare things in our lives that we want to change, to resolve to do something different. 

Paul starts with a declaration: our God is at work in you. 

So let Him keep working, 'cos it's a lifelong thing :)

Resolve to understand more of what really matters. Why?

So that our lives are pure and blameless. This requires God to be at work as Jesus makes us pure, that takes the blame, but we choose to live in and live out that gospel grace looking forward. It's about our choices. 

Perfect? No.

Heading in this direction. Yes.

And what is Paul after? 

Simply growth in our character. 

It's not what we do but who we are becoming.

More like Jesus.

May that be at the core of our resolve as we head into '21.

#resolvetobemorelikeJesus

#itsnotperfectionbutadirection

#gospelofgraceatwork