PBPGINFWMY

“For I am 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 (NASB)

PBPGINFWMY.  Back in the 70’s those letters were used creatively to abbreviate a timeless Biblical truth that every “fisher of men” needs to be reminded of.

“PLEASE BE PATIENT, GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET.”

God is at work in the life of every follower of Jesus Christ.  After one’s introduction to Jesus an immediate life transformation occurs (you are “born again” – John 3) and the follower of Christ starts down the path of becoming a “fisher of men”  (Matt 4:19).

A “fisher of men” is sent into the world by God with a simple message, “God’s gracious gift of life has been offered to all people through Jesus Christ.  I am one who has taken Him up on that offer and have been changed.”

Did you notice that the message doesn’t say, “I don’t have any more problems and am now so perfect that I never sin?” It’s because that wouldn’t be true.  Neither did Jesus say to wait until you are sure you won’t make another mistake before you share the Gospel with someone.

Receiving Jesus Christ is just the beginning of a never-ending and life-changing journey.  Our sins have been forgiven and our sin nature has been judged on the Cross.  We are now “new creations.”  (2Cor 5:17)  But we are also a work in progress.

People need Jesus.  They’re not going to hear about the message of hope unless “fishers of men” get the word out.  We cannot wait until we think we are “mature enough” or “changed enough” before we start passing the word on.  God has begun a good work in you and will be working on you until your last breath on this earth.  Therefore, you will never be “mature enough” or “changed enough” to do the work of a “fisher of men.”  Has is ever occurred to you that God uses unfinished people.

I believe that is exactly the point that the apostle Paul was making in his letter to the “fishers of men” in Philippi when he said,

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

He also described the journey this way,

“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and delivered His life for me.”  Galatians 2:20

So, what are you waiting for?  The progress of your growth journey is in God’s hands.  Until He is finished with you, there is a mandate that you invite as many as you can to join you on the journey.

Go tell somebody today! And if they throw up an objection to your message because you are a flawed messenger, then tell them,

“PBPGINFWMY”