The joke in Illinois is that we only have two seasons: winter and road construction. That’s especially true of our expressways. It seems like they’re always a work in progress. If you’re like me, it’s easy to grow impatient when things are a work in progress. Projects often begin with enthusiasm and end with joy upon completion, but during the middle, it’s easy to lose heart.
When it comes to our salvation, we’re all a work in progress. If we’ve trusted in Christ, we’re justified freely by His grace. In that sense, we’re saved—past tense. At the same time, we are awaiting the day when we stand in the presence of God, glorified and perfect in every way. In that sense, we’re awaiting the fullness of salvation—future tense. And in the meantime, we’re daily learning what it means to follow Jesus in the power of the Spirit as we are undergoing a process of sanctification. We’re being saved—present tense. So salvation is our past, present, and future reality. And right now, we’re in the middle; we’re a work in progress.
And since we’re all works in progress, it’s easy sometimes to grow discouraged and lose heart. But the good news is that Jesus is on the job. The One who is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) is even now at work in the intricacies of our lives, conforming us to His own image by the power of the Spirit to the glory of the Father. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive and at work in us (Romans 8:11). And He who began this good work in us will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
Today, in the book of Acts, we are reminded that Jesus is actively at work through His people. Even though He has departed these mortal shores and taken up His rightful place in glory at the Father’s right hand, He is still fully present, wielding his wonder-working power on behalf of His people, pointing us on to the glories of the resurrection that await all who trust in Him. His work is not finished. We live in the middle of His redemption. And there is so much more yet to come. In the meantime, that means there’s hope for us, works in progress as we are. What God has begun, He will finish. The Spirit is our guarantee of all that lies ahead. We have confidence, because Jesus Himself is on the job. And He always finishes what He starts.
So, if you’ve grown a bit weary in the waiting, come, gather fresh hope this Sunday. Your work in progress will one day be brought to full completion. Jesus is on the job, and He’s not done yet. For we are loved, more than we know!
