God's renewing and sanctifying work is still in progress. Like the signs that you see on the road—under construction until September 2029
—so there is a sign on each of our hearts—under construction until Jesus comes back.
We so long to be holier than we are. We so long to be more filled with the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit than we are. We so long to build up the saints and to win our neighbours for Christ. And yet, God in his wisdom takes his time with us. Perhaps he does this to keep us from pride—how can you be full of pride when you know how weak your faith so often is? Perhaps God does this to ensure we fix our eyes on Christ and never take them off him. And oh how we need that! How easily we can get tangled in sin and so take our eyes off the author and perfecter of our faith? Perhaps he does this so that we never stop praying to God for his grace and Spirit, or perhaps, just perhaps he does so to keep us ever longing for the day of Christ, when he will make all things new.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.