ROMANS 15:28

“Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain.”

I can still remember my dad teaching me how to do certain things. He could do just about anything. He was truly a “Jack of all Trades.” No matter what task he assigned me, he spent the time to show me how to do it correctly. And more importantly, he taught me how to finish the job. He always said the job was not finished until you had cleaned up. That might mean blowing off the lawnmower and putting it away properly. It might mean cleaning and putting away any tools I might have used. He didn’t want me to be lazy about a job but instead to finish it well.

Paul uses a Greek word for “I have finished” that is used ten times in the New Testament. Paul uses it seven of those times, Peter once and it appears twice in Hebrews. The word is epiteleó from epi and teleó. Epo is a preposition that reinforces the result of an action while teleó means to complete or finish. Put those together and you get the idea that Paul’s finishing this task of delivering the gift to the Jerusalem church had a major result on these saints. Paul made sure he completely finished this task.

APPLICATION

I love how this word is used in 2 Corinthians 7:1. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” You see here that our obedience of cleansing ourselves results in holiness. That’s simple – pursue flesh and stay unholy. Cleanse yourself and achieve the holiness God expects from His children.

My favorite use of epiteleó is found in Philippians 1:6 which says, “or I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.” What is Paul saying here? God does not simply work on us. He completely finishes the job. He perfects us. He saved us, He is saving us and He will completely save us. We are currently a work in progress, but God promises to finish the job.

Has the Lord given you a job to do? You know He spoke to you and told you exactly what to do. He has equipped you to do it. Finish the job. You may not see the end results right now, but God will perfect it. Don’t stop short of completion. And when you have finished that job, put your “tools” away and be ready for the next job He gives you. Always keep them ready to use. One day you will hear those words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Use me, Lord, to complete the tasks You have given me, and I will lead the results up to You.

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