The Author and Finisher
God is not only the Author, but He is also the Finisher. He does not start something that He doesn’t finish. We have an accurate account from God’s authoring of creation in Genesis to His finishing work in Revelation. We have an accurate and true account of our Savior’s authoring and finishing of salvation. He did not stop short of the cross, bearing the agony and pain, seeing His work through until He proclaimed, “It is finished”. We can trust God because He is always faithful. He will not leave things half done. In the midst of all our trials and tribulations, we can be assured that He will finish what He started, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” Philippians 1:6 NKJV
But what about you? We are being conformed to His image and character. Should we not be faithful and trustworthy people? A Christian should be a person of integrity. I realize this is a foreign word in today’s society, but a Christian should look differently than the world. We should work hard to keep our word and finish what we start.
I could tell you story after story of Christians that never finished what they started. They did not keep their word, let alone their signed contract. Stories of those who said they would be somewhere and they never showed up. I have at times said I would do something and because of poor planning on my part, I did not keep my word. Do unexpected things happen? Of course. But if this is a continual pattern in your life, what is going on with you that you never keep your word? Why do you not finish what you start? Integrity is defined as, “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility.”
Are you a starter and not a finisher? Do you leave things halfway done? Do you give your word and have no intention to keep it? Just because you walked away from something does not mean you finished. Walking away from a half read book does not mean you finished. Walking away from a marriage through an unbiblical divorce does not mean you finished. Should not God’s very own be trustworthy people? Should we not be counted upon to do what we say and finish what we start? Should we not keep our vows? Here’s a few tips:
1) Let your yes be “yes” and your no be “no”. (Matthew 5:37) It’s ok to say “no”. In fact, there’s many times you have to say “no”. In my experience with humans, the people who always give a “yes” are people pleasers, they don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. A flatterer will be found out. Learn to say, “no”. Parents, tell your kids “no” and stick to it like glue. Your kids will learn to trust your word, instead of continually pushing until they get a “yes”.
2) Count the cost. (Luke 14:25-33) Do you know people who constantly have multiple projects going on? Men are notorious for this. Dear saint, we need to finish what we start. Even as I write this I have two books I need to finish. Just finish what you started. This can become a horrible and obstructive pattern in your life. God is a finisher, so should we be in everything we do. If you can’t finish, don’t start. The Christian race is one that’s run to the end. There’s no prize in a marathon for quitting at mile 10.
3) Work hard at keeping your word. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6) We should be the most trustworthy people on this earth. Keep your word, even when it hurts. God expects you to keep the vow you made to Him, so why would we not be expected to keep our word to our fellow man? If you are one who continually does not keep their word, that will become known about you. Earning trust is hard fought, but losing it takes a second.
4) You have a reputation. (Proverbs 22:1) What’s your reputation among men? But more importantly, what’s your reputation with God? The church in Sardis had a reputation for being alive, but the Lord looked into it and said, “You are dead”. You are known by your fruit. Do people say of you, “Don’t ask them to do it! They are not trustworthy”? Be sure your sin will find you out. You can only hide behind flattering lips for so long until your character is revealed. At least be honest with yourself and look at yourself soberly. Repent for what needs to be repented of and adjust what needs to be adjusted.
5)God requires that we fulfill our vows to Him.
“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you. But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you. That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.”
Deuteronomy 23:21-23
Lastly, if you are in the middle of your waiting season, I want to encourage you that there is an end. He is the Finisher and He has a good ending for you.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
