Beginning to Possess (Philippians 1:6; Galatians 3:3; Proverbs 13:12)

Everyone has preconceived ideas, even ideologies, which shape their thinking and perception of the world around them and their relationships with people, however, the scripture states succinctly to not be conformed to this world's way of thinking, and the patterns of behavior that they produce, but to think the way God thinks and to embrace His thoughts to produce real positive change, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of all those we interact with (Rm. 12:1-2). This renewing of the mind, as it's described, is designed to bring us into the awareness and reality of who God, our Father, has created us to be, in fellowship with Him, for the sole purpose of His nature being expressed through us in every aspect of our lives. Basically, our Christian experience is growing and developing into a full awareness and experience of who we are in Christ, demonstrating His behavior and supernatural expression to the world around us.

Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform (it) until the day of Jesus Christ"

Paul talks about how he is constantly, and consistently praying for the Philippian Christians, and then follows it with the declaration in verse six.

The word "begun" is an interesting word, especially when it is coupled with the word "perform". The word "begun" is only found here and in Galatians 3:3, which states, "Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?". What is also intriguing, is that the word "perform" is the same word in the Greek that is translated "made perfect" in Galatians 3:3. Both of these words were used in ceremonial sacrifices, to "begin" the sacrificial offering, and to fully "complete" the ceremony of sacrifice.

Although only used twice in the NT [Gal.3:3; Phil.1:6], the word "begun", [which is (enarchomai), 1728, from (en), 1722, 'in', and (archomai), 756, 'to begin', therefore, literally meaning, "to begin in"], is found several times in the Greek translation of the OT; the Septuagint [LXX].

There is one reference that refers to the commencing of a plague, which Aaron, at the instruction of Moses, stopped (Num.16:47), but two of the eight uses of the word (Ex.12:18; Num. 9:5) deal with the "commencement", or 'beginning", of the observance of passover, which marks the deliverance of the Children of Israel, in blood being shed for them, to secure their freedom, and ultimately, the inheritance promised to them.

Three of the uses (Deut.2:24, 25, 31) deal with "commencing" to possess the promised inheritance. The one verse where the word is used in Joshua (Josh.10:24) references the conquests of war where Joshua had the leaders place their feet on the necks of the conquered kings, of the land they were possessing, as part of their inheritance.

Proverbs 13:12, in the KJV says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but (when) the desire comes, (it is) a tree of life", but in the LXX, the verse reads, "Better one commencing help in heart, promising, and leads (another) to hope; for a good desire (is) a tree of life". Although an awkward translation, the gist of meaning is the possessing what is desired; referencing the "tree of life" in the garden, where Adam and Eve possessed all things, and ruled over all.

Basically, the meaning of Philippians 1:6 is that Paul, through the Spirit of God, is confident, that not only has God, our Father "begun" to lead us into possessing our inheritance, but he is also confident that we will fully and completely walk in and enjoy, the full range of privilege and authority ascribed to us as His rightful heirs.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours