He's Still Working On Me

Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 13:21; James 1:2-4; Isaiah 64:8

As I was studying in 1 Peter chapter 5 the other day, verse 10 reminded me of He's Still Working On Me, a song that we used to sing with our kids when they were little. As God's children, we are truly a work in progress. In this verse Peter declares that God Himself will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. (NASB) A deeper study of the Greek gives a greater sense of what Peter is acknowledging here. These four words together show how much our father cares for us and what He will accomplish in and through us as we live to bring Him glory. 

• The first word, transliterated katartizó means to perfect or complete, to make adequate, to furnish completely. Home builders know that as a construction project nears completion there will be an inspection, followed by a punch list of all the things that need touching up or do not conform to the specifications of the contract.  When God is finished with us there will be nothing left undone. Absolutely nothing will be found on our punch list. We will be truly perfect and complete!
• The second word he uses is transliterated stērizō, and means to set up, establish, support, to make more firm. This is similar to planting a tree and making sure it has plenty of support until it can take root on its own. It needs to be able to withstand strong winds and heavy rains. At this point it is strengthened by the support surrounding it. 
• The third word is transliterated sthenoō and means to make strong or stronger. This would be the strengthening of the tree itself as it grows, establishing a secure root system and absorbing the nutrients supplied.
• The fourth word, transliterated themelioō means to lay the foundation, to establish.

So let us be encouraged in this, knowing that God establishes us, laying a firm foundation (Jesus); sets up the support around us (our Christian family); strengthens us as we grow (through reading and studying His Word and spending time with Him in prayer); and continues to perfect us until the day when we trade the perishable for imperishable, the corruptible for incorruptible,  when as 1 John 3:2 says we shall be like Him. 

1 Peter 5:10 (NASB) After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Pastor Mike Deese