All people possess an inward desire that their work should have meaning and permanence (Ps. 90:16,17). If such work is not to be lost in the vastness of eternity, however, it must conform to the work God has designed. This work for the present day can be known only from God's Word.
According to the Word of God, the initial work of God is for us to believe in Jesus Christ (John 6:29; Rom. 6:17,18). Apart from entering into this vital relationship with God, man cannot even begin to work for God. After coming to know Christ, the new Christian discovers God's program for the present from the scriptures. It is, first of all, His work in the Christian himself. Regeneration is only the beginning of God's work in the believer. It actually introduces a process of becoming like Christ which God promises ultimately to bring to perfection (Phil. 1:6). The Christian cheerful obedience to God's will as revealed in His Word helps speed this work along.
Second, no Christian can overlook God's work in the world. Jesus' command to spread the good news of the gospel to all people appears near the end of all four Gospels and at the beginning of the book of Acts. God's method is that people proclaim the gospel and that the Holy Spirit convict (John 16:8-11).
Finally, God's work is in and through the church, the organism ordained by Christ for this age (Matt. 16:18). God's work in the church through the spirit and through spiritually gifted people to strengthen and bless it (Eph. 4:11-13).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment