Finish What We’ve Begun

What good is the promise if there isn’t the will to back it up?

As Jesus was on His way from Bethany to Jerusalem Mark records in his gospel that Jesus was hungry, and seeing a fig tree in blossom He went to find some fruit, but found none. It gave the appearance of fruit, but it never completed what it promised, and so Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered and died (Mark 11:12-14; 20-21).

As believers we need to show the world our love for Jesus by loving those He loved, but we need to make sure we follow up on what we promised. If not then we dishonor God.

The Apostle Paul was confronting this very thing with the Corinthian Church. He was telling them to finish what they so eagerly began.

“Here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” (2 Corinthians 8:10-11)

The Apostle Paul is encouraging them to keep their word; to complete what they started, and provide for the saints in Jerusalem who were in need.

It was a work they began with great eagerness and a sincere desire, but were now in danger of not fulfilling their promise.

What we begin in and for the Lord needs to be completed. It doesn’t honor God when we so readily begin a project only to desert it along the way. It profanes His name when we break our word.

King David promised to keep what he had promised (Psalm 22:25), and Jesus said, “’Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.” (Matthew 5:33)

As believers we need to keep our word and finish what we have begun.