The Work Which You Have Given Me to Do, I Have Completed

The lecture revolves around Christ’s words to the Father: “The work which You have given Me to do, I have completed,” as a model for Christian life that will be judged before God based on faithfulness and perfection in work, not on words or claims of faith.

Perfection in Work

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that Christ did not say “I did it,” but “I completed it,” meaning He brought it to perfection. This places responsibility on every person to complete the work entrusted to him by God fully.

Faith Working Through Love

True faith is not merely an inner belief, but a living faith expressed through good works. Scripture teaches that faith without works is dead, and that judgment will be according to works.

God Working in the Human Being

Every true spiritual work is the result of God dwelling and working within a person. There is no spiritual success without true communion with God, for without Him we can do nothing.

Personal Responsibility

Every person—whether layman, priest, or monk—has a specific work for which he will be held accountable: in his service, his family, raising his children, and witnessing to Christ.

Raising Children

One of the most important works parents will be asked about is raising their children in the fear of God, teaching them Scripture, prayer, and hymns, not merely academic or material success.

Practical Witness

Witnessing to Christ is not only through words, but through conduct, good example, and spreading God’s word everywhere, according to the talents God has given each person.

Self-Examination

His Holiness calls every person to examine himself before standing before God and ask: What is the work God has given me? And can I truthfully say: “I have completed it”?

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