The House

Philippians 1:6 – 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. (NLT)

We live in a fine log house. The original part of the house is constructed from very large logs. It is solid, firm, and really quite amazing. Over the years, however, an addition was built onto the original structure. The addition is not log. In fact, it isn't even totally finished on the outside or the inside. It is still a work in progress.

As I was contemplating this the other day, it reminded me of our relationship to Christ. Christ is a solid, firm foundation, really quite amazing in every sense. He can be counted on in every way. He loves us completely and is our eternal shelter through the blood He shed on Calvary's cross. When we receive Him as our Saviour and trust Him for our salvation, the forgiveness of our sins, we become part of Him, and He of us. We become as one. His perfection becomes ours in the sight of God. When God looks at us, He no longer sees our sin, but views us through the precious blood of Christ, which makes us holy, spotless in His sight. This does not mean, however, that we live perfectly. We are, in fact, a work in progress!

As my daughter and I contemplate how we would like eventually to finish our home, we agree that we want the old and the new to blend. We want the addition to reflect and complement the original log structure. Similarly in our relationship with Christ, He is ever at work in us making us more like Himself.

To be like Jesus should be every Christian's goal. We are called to reflect and complement Him in word, action, and thought, so that others in this world will be so impacted by His glory within us that they, too, will want to become one with Him.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Christ and the power of His blood in our lives. Thank You that we can count on You to finish the work He has begun in us. Bless us this day with Your encouragement and hope in all we think, do, and say. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.