He who began a good work in you
    will carry it on to completion.
    He who began a good work in you
        will bring it to fulfilment,
        will bring it to fruition,
    will bring it to conclusion
    on the day of Christ.

Don't be discouraged by the chains you bear,
    the trials from your neighbours you endure:
these sore afflictions are not worth comparing
    with the glory which is yours for sure, for ...

    He who began a good work in you ...

In all my prayers for you I pray with joy,
    because you are partners in Good News.
He has his hand on you and you are royalty
    with treasure which you cannot lose, for ...

    He who began a good work in you ...

There may be troubles, griefs and pains to face,
    but he helps us count these things as gain.
He wills and acts in us to keep us racing
    to the finish line where we will reign, oh ...

    He who began a good work in you ...

Let's put no confidence in this frail flesh,
    we know we're unworthy of God's grace.
Christ died for sinners, and we find refreshment
    in the righteousness that comes by faith, and ...

    He who began a good work in you ...

Copyright © John Hartley 2005.

Based on Philippians 1:6 and other verses of St Paul’s letters. The tune is on our web site. (The indented lines in the chorus are omitted except for the first and last times through.)

The first time I remember Philippians 1:6 making an impact on me was when I read it in a booklet we used at a Billy Graham mission to England. It was there to help new believers. But it isn't just for new believers - it's for long-time followers of Jesus like me as well. When God comes into our lives and begins something new, Paul says it isn't just a flash in the pan which will be here one day and then fizzle out over the weeks to come. It's something which will continue and carry on, and God will make it grow and bear fruit. On the last Day when we meet Jesus in the hereafter we'll be able to see how God has completed it and brought it to a proper and glorious conclusion.

A note on the rhymes: you’ll see the 2nd and 4th lines of the verses rhyme - so do the 1st and 3rd, but the rhyming syllable in the 3rd line is one inside the last word. Try saying it in rhythm and you’ll find the rhyme in question.

John Hartley