The
Christian and His Work
The churches of Christ Greet You (Romans
The Holy Spirit
commands
each Christian to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling"
(Philippians
2:12). That makes this thing we call Christianity an individual work.
It
is true that we are workers together as the church, but we serve and
follow
God as individuals above all. One day our Father will judge us - each
according
to our own individual work. Thank God, your standing with God does not
depend
on what I do or have done (or what anyone else does). You stand on your
own
before God. From time to time each of us will stumble and sin as we
attempt
to serve God. Yet, we should stop judging each other in the labors we
attempt
to do before our Master and King. We must keep our eyes in two places -
on
Jesus and in the mirror (James
Where are we going
with
this; what are we talking about? We are dealing with the WILL OF GOD
FOR
MAN. For a few moments, let’s talk about the work of God and the type
of
work God desires from man – His highest creation.
Christians are to
work
the works of God while it is day (John 9:4). The Bible teaches that the
work
of God is for man to believe in Jesus (John 6:28-29). When one believes
in
Jesus his faith will begin working in love (Galatians 5:6). That faith
and
love will cause the person to obey Jesus; thus, becoming a Christian
(cf.
Mark
Thus, the work that
Christians
have been created for are GOOD works. Whatever good work we do we must
do
it with ALL our might, knowing that we are serving God, not man
(Colossians
3:23). We are to show ourselves in all respects to be models of good
works
(Titus 2:7). Everyone around us should know that we are Christians
because
they can't help but see our faith working through our good works (1
Timothy
5:25; James 2:14-26). But more important than that, as we build on the
foundation
of Jesus Christ our work will be manifest to God (1 Corinthians
3:10-15).
You may be a new
worker
in God's vineyard, and that might cause you to stand in awe of those
who
have been laboring for the Lord 20, 30, 40, or 50 years. Yet remember,
we
are all "God's fellow workers" (1 Corinthians 3:8-9). Even a new
Christian can hold his head up high and thank God for placing him in
this ministry
of doing good. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus have made
the
last equal with the first. In other words, "the last will be first and
the first last" (Matthew 20:1-16).
Concerning the rich
Jesus said, "Only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom
of heaven"
(Matthew 19:23). But be of good courage you who are rich! The Holy
Spirit
has given you the answer to cure your difficult situation. He said
through
the apostle Paul, "As for the rich in this present age,
charge
them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of
riches,
but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They
are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to
share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good
foundation for the
future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life" (1
Timothy 6:17-19). If you are among the monetarily rich in the church,
you are also commanded to be RICH in GOOD works. Please don't frustrate
the Holy Spirit power (Rom.
Love ones, in His
grace
and mercy, God has given us the tool (His word) that will equip each of
us
for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). His word is working in those
of
us who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13). We must study and use this tool
(obey
it) in all areas of our life. Then we can be workers "who have no need
to
be ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15). Why not? Because "God is not so unjust as
to
overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving
the saints, as you still do" (Hebrews 6:10).
So that we might
always remain humbly depended on God to work in us (Philippians 2:13),
we are warned that our salvation does not come because of works done by
us in righteousness, "but according to his own mercy" (Titus 3:5).
While we were yet sinners in
the world, God allowed Jesus to die and save us, "Not because of our
works
but because of his own purpose and grace" (2 Timothy 1:9). We therefore
have
nothing in which to boast as we serve the Lord (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Conclusion:
In closing, all
faithful children of God can rest in the promise, "That he who began a
good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus
Christ" (Philippians 1:6).
Our prayer for each other should be: "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ
himself,
and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good
hope
through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in
every good work and word" (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). Again, "Now may
the God of
peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great
shepherd of
the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you
with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which
is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory
forever and ever. Amen"
(Hebrews 13:20-21).
We hope and pray
that
God will use these words to stir you up to love and good works (Hebrews
10:24). REMEMBER: Faithful men should teach these things to others (2
Timothy 2:1-2).