It's God who converts

"I am persuaded that he who began this good work in you will make it perfect for the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

If we want to rewrite this verse, we'd say: "God, who began this good work in you, will make it perfect for the day of Jesus Christ." In effect, the apostle Paul wants to explain to us, by this, that all spiritual work is the work of God himself. It belongs to the Holy Spirit.

He creates the desire and the doing, the interest and the realization, the love and its practice. If God used Paul to proclaim Jesus Christ to the Philippians, but to convert hearts that depends on Himself and not on Paul proclaiming the Word.

C'est Dieu qui sanctifie et nous rend parfaits à sa propre image. L'homme n'a aucun pouvoir de se rendre parfait et de rendre un autre parfait. Sinon Paul aurait dit : « Je rendrai parfaite l'œuvre que j'ai débutée en vous en vous annonçant l'évangile... ». Il aurait dit que cela ce serait un gros mensonge.

Preachers simply announce the gospel, but it's God himself who convinces hearts and gives faith. This is why the people must learn to call on God in times of need. "But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you." (John 11:22)

Pasteur Clémentine