In what ways can we "not rest until" God's work is accomplished in us? Setting the Focus “Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) God has already launched His transforming work in every believer. Because He guarantees completion, we respond by refusing to grow complacent. Like Boaz who “will not rest until he has resolved the matter” (Ruth 3:18), we press on until Christ’s likeness is formed in us. Why We Must Refuse Spiritual Laziness • God commands diligence: “Make every effort to confirm your calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10). • Our enemy is relentless (1 Peter 5:8), so half-heartedness is unsafe. • The harvest is urgent (John 4:35). Souls hang in the balance. • Growth proves love for Christ (John 14:15). Practical Ways to “Not Rest Until” 1. Continual Surrender • Present your body “as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). • Daily ask, “Lord, what must die in me today so You can live more fully?” 2. Persistent Scripture Intake • Feed on the Word as newborns crave milk (1 Peter 2:2). • Memorize and meditate until truth rewires thinking (Psalm 119:11). 3. Prayer That Wrestles • Follow Jacob, who declared, “I will not let You go unless You bless me” (Genesis 32:26). • Intercede for personal holiness and for others’ salvation (Colossians 4:12). 4. Active Obedience • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). • Take the next step God shows—however small—immediately. 5. Spirit-Led Self-Examination • Invite the Spirit to “search me and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23-24). • Confess sin quickly; lingering guilt paralyzes progress (1 John 1:9). 6. Intentional Fellowship • Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Seek mentors who model the maturity you pursue (Philippians 3:17). 7. Unrelenting Service • Use gifts faithfully (1 Peter 4:10). • View every task—home, work, church—as kingdom ground. 8. Hope-Fueled Perseverance • Fix eyes on “the crown of righteousness” the Lord will award (2 Timothy 4:8). • Remember: present affliction is light compared with eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). Cultivating Holy Restlessness • Keep eternity before you; judgment and reward are real (2 Corinthians 5:10). • Celebrate progress, yet recognize unfinished areas; humility guards against pride. • Read biographies of saints who ran hard to the finish (Hebrews 12:1). Living in Confident Expectation • God’s power energizes our effort: “It is God who works in you to will and to act” (Philippians 2:13). • Our striving is not anxious but joyful; the outcome is guaranteed by His faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Summing It Up Refuse to settle for partial transformation. By surrendering, feeding on Scripture, wrestling in prayer, obeying promptly, examining honestly, fellowshipping deeply, serving tirelessly, and persevering hopefully, we echo David’s resolve: “I will not give sleep to my eyes…until I find a place for the LORD” (Psalm 132:4-5). Let holy restlessness drive you until God’s good work reaches its glorious finish in you. |
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