Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Let’s close our focus on God’s hallowing by recognizing His continuing and finishing work in us.

Today scripture, Philippians 1:6 (NLT) says…
[6] 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.

Consider…
I mentioned a couple of days ago that I appreciated learning about the finished work of God. While that is true, I also appreciate the continuous work of God.

Here’s the distinction the Holy Spirit showed me…

• The penalty of sin was finished by Christ’s death.

Hebrews 9:26-28 (NLT) explains…
[26] If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. [27] And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, [28] so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

• The power of sin is continuously being broken.

Romans 8:11-12 (NLT) explains…
[11] The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. [12] Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.

The LORD pointed out there’s a journey from being freed from sin to spending eternity. The Holy Spirit highlighted the Children of Israel’s experience…

• Delivered from Egypt
• Delivered through the Red Sea
• Sustained in the wilderness
• Delivered into the promise land

Similarly, God says we’re…

• Delivered from the penalty of sin
• Delivered through the power of sin
• Sustained in the warring desire to win
• Delivered to the promised eternal life with Him

It’s in our wilderness of our warring sinful nature with God’s indwelling Spirit that God’s continuous finishing work is happening.

The Holy Spirit points to Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT) to underscore this truth…
[16] So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. [17] The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

• The penalty of sin has been paid
• The power of sin has been broken
• The desire to sin is an ongoing battle

That’s why Hebrews 12:1-2a (NLT) tells us…
[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…

You see it’s Jesus who initiates, strengthens and perfects our faith.

Indeed, Philippians 2:13 (NLT) points out…
[13] For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Notice it’s God who gives us the desire and power to do right in His sight.

Additionally, Romans 12:2 (NLT) exhorts…
[2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

It’s God who changes our stinking thinking.

Tripling down, the Holy Spirit led me to 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT), which tells us…
[3] By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. [4] And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

It’s God who delivers through sin’s power and sustains us in our wilderness of sinful desires.

Reading beyond these last verses, I noticed the response God wants His presence to inspire…

2 Peter 1:5-11 (NLT) exhorts…
[5] In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. [8] The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. [10] So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. [11] Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God won’t roll our stones away, but He will give us the power to walk out of the grave of sin and death. That tells me God just keeps letting us know He’s calling us to inspire us keep living delivered from the penalty and through the power of sin, while wandering through the wilderness of sinful desires.

Let’s be clear, Jesus didn’t choose to save us directly from sin to heaven. Instead in John 17:15-17 (NLT) He prayed…
[15] I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. [16] They do not belong to this world any more than I do. [17] Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

That’s why when we struggle to live higher than our sinful desires, we can pray Psalms 121:1-8 (NLT)…
[1] I look up to the mountains, does my help come from there? [2] My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! [3] He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. [4] Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. [5] The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. [6] The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. [7] The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. [8] The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Always remember God is by your side, when you belong to Jesus. Knowing that allows us to also remember when we mess up that 1 John 1:9 (NLT) promises…
[9] But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

That hit play on Hezekiah Walker singing…

Lord I need to feel the touch of Your hand
Your will for my life I want to understand
Lord forgive me like only You can
For your the God of a second chance
Lord I’m tired of the way that I am
In Your love I want to live and stand
To adhere to Your every command
For You’re the God of a second chance
For You’re the God of a second chance

Show me
All of my wrongs
Forgive me
And make strong
Oh Save me
Restore my song
For You’re the God of a second chance

You gave me
A second chance
You forgave me like only You can
You gave me
A second chance

The Holy Spirit wants to close out our appreciation of God’s hallowed and hallowing nature, remembering what today’s scripture declares, God will finish what He started!

*** By the way, God always finishes what He starts!

So let’s close by reading and receiving His benediction in Jude 1:24 (NLT)…
[24] Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

Thank you LORD for you delivering (saving), continuing (empowering) and finishing (completing) work in us.

Today’s song is…
The Benediction https://youtu.be/fQX_fvaa3Eo?si=Z4wLLami5UM8Wgb-

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)