Living a “so-so” life is not very exciting. However, living with purpose that glorifies God should be acknowledged as an honor and a privilege. To surrender to being used by God for His Divine purposes — being engaged in the works created in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10) — should provide a real boost to our self-esteem and can give rise to feelings of exhilaration. However, we must also remain humble in acknowledging where the real power rests!
Right prior to His ascension back to Heaven, the commission Jesus gave to His disciples was to be perpetuated by subsequent believers as we read. . .
“(18) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
That making of disciples was (and remains) by means of baptizing and teaching which would include teaching to baptize and teach. Such a perpetual work has continued from the first century until now; a sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in which we are to continue. However, the power of baptism is in its association with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21) and the power of the teaching is in what God placed in His Word. (1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:16) Though we rightfully acknowledge it is a great work in which we have been called to engage, we must still guard against developing too high an estimation of human teachers (i.e. 1 Corinthians 3:4-5) and even ourselves as we humbly acknowledge it is God Who provides the growth or the increase from the planting and watering in which we engage. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) As revealed in Jesus’ parable of the sower, God placed the germinating power in the seed of His Word, but much depends on the condition of the ground (the heart) on which it falls. (Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23) Our task is to be that of sowing the seed of God’s Word as we trust in His power to provide the results He intends and will bring. The end result is not on our shoulders but comes about by the power of God.
Though I do not know its source of origin, the following was recently shared with me, the spirit of which is in line with the Scriptures above. Without getting too caught up in semantics, I urge you to consider it.
“It’s not our job to convert people.
It’s not our job to save people.
It’s not our job to convict people.
It’s not our job to convince people.
It’s our job to tell people.
The convincing, convicting, converting, and saving is the work of the Holy Spirit.”
God has chosen human agency to engage in the work of evangelism, but it is by His power that success comes! As Paul shared the truth of the crucified Christ, the success of his ministry was not based on his own eloquence and strength, but was approached in a manner demonstrating the Spirit as the source of power. (1 Corinthians 2:2-5) Though we engage in the great work of sharing the good news of salvation in Christ, may we never lose sight of it being the power of God at work since without that power all our efforts would be nothing! So, let us sow, and trust God for the results He will ultimately bring!
Have a great day WOWED BY GOD’S WORD AT WORK!
Carl
