This Bible study is for all of us A-type personality people with an excellent “work ethic.” We are the people who tackle jobs with gusto and usually perceive problems as our own personal assignments. We are the “fixers.” While this can be a good thing in many of life’s situations, it is not good when we are trying to work on something that God has claimed as His job. In this study, we will look at some verses that define God’s work.
Since we live in and with ourselves, we are abundantly aware of our faults, flaws, shortcomings, and weaknesses. These are the things those of us described above always strive to fix or at least improve. We see our actions or reactions to events or circumstances. Then we compare them with scripture or other good standards of behavior and think “this has to change – I have to change this!” Well, after years of this response, I have four words for this mindset: “good luck with that” (said with an eyeroll).
The first scripture I ever memorized after being filled with the Holy Spirit was Jude 24, 25. I attended a little house church, and we sang lots of scripture verse songs. The words came naturally.
Jude 24, 25 (NASB)
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
You would think that after reading and memorizing these verses, I would have breezed through life just letting God keep me from stumbling and letting God make me stand in His presence blameless with great joy. It just did not happen that way. Many years and much futile effort later, I am becoming aware of God’s work in and through me as opposed to my own.
Authentic Christian doctrine asserts that the work of Jesus Christ at the whipping post and on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead is the sum total of what needed to be accomplished for our eternal salvation and security. His blood shed at the cross is actually more than enough. This is non-negotiable.
Philippians 3:9 (AMCP)
And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.
The Apostle Paul clearly states that authentic or genuine right-standing with God comes only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving the gift of His right-standing with God. Jesus did the work of saving us and salvation is His gift to us. It is received by faith exerted by the believer. We are born-again and our spirits are joined to Jesus in perfect union.
1 Corinthians 6:17 (AMPC)
But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.
Our born-again, newly created spirit man (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21) is then sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
One-third of each believer, our spirit, is completely complete and perfectly perfect at the new birth. The other two-thirds, our soul and our body, will need some (maybe a lot) of growth, restoration, maturing, and improvement. In my Truth Study entitled “Spirit, Soul, and Body,” scriptures are studied and analyzed concerning each portion of our being. Souls need to be restored and bodies need to be healed and disciplined. This is where the actual “work” begins. Whose work is it?
First, let’s look at the role of faith. Many Christians are familiar with this passage from the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 11:6 (AMPC)
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
I like the use of the word “satisfactory” in the Amplified Classic version of this verse. Faith pleases God, but there is an element of satisfaction in Him when we employ faith. We will come back to the earnest and diligent seeking later.
Now let’s look at what Jesus has to say about our efforts.
John 15:5 (AMPC)
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
He does not tell us to refrain from effort, but if we are trying to accomplish anything without “vital union” with Him, it is useless. We will also re-visit this vital union concept.
We have established that God requires faith, and we are helpless without close relationship with Jesus. How does this help us grow and mature? How does this get the work in us done?
Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
God claims we are His workmanship. We are God’s work. Some translations use the term “handiwork” as in we are God’s handiwork. The New Living Translation says that we are God’s “masterpiece.” Consider the words of Jesus as recorded by the Apostle John about God’s work.
John 5:17 (TPT)
Jesus answered his critics by saying, “Every day my Father is at work, and I will be, too!”
Genesis makes it clear that God is not working on the earth, the moon, the sun, or the galaxies. He finished that work in six days and then took a day of rest (Genesis 1:1 – 2:2).
This work that Jesus describes is the work He is doing in the lives of each of His humans. And it is not just God the Father working in us, it is also God the Son working in us. The Godhead is exerting effort on our behalf to build and create the thing of beauty that is each of us.
The Amplified Classic version says this.
Ephesians 2:10 (AMPC)
For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
God’s building project and creativity in us is so that we can do the good works He planned ahead of time for us to do. He “prearranged” paths for us to take! He thought out a plan for each of us, created a path, put good works on that path, and intends for us to live a good life. Many are familiar with the passage in Jeremiah 29.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Each of us has a unique destiny (see the Truth Study entitled “Destiny”). Each of us was planned. Each of us has incalculable value to God. He is working in each of us. We are His labor of love. Consider what David had to say in Psalm 37.
Psalms 37:23 (AMPC)
The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].
Imagine the God of the universe lovingly busy with every step you take. Imagine His delight when we yield to Holy Spirit’s promptings and go in the path of life. And do not disqualify yourself as not being a “good” person. If you are born again, you are complete in Christ and better than good. How sad it is that some think God is far off and uninvolved with people’s lives. Nothing could be farther from the truth. He is busy at work in and through each of us.
The next passage is from Hebrews, and I have been camped here for several years – I can be a slow learner.
Hebrews 13:20-21 (AMPC)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), 21 Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).
Jesus shed His blood at the cross and that blood ratifies a covenant between God the Father and Jesus Christ Himself on our behalf. By that blood, God does the following, 1) He strengthens, completes and perfects us, 2) He makes us what we ought to be, 3) He equips us with everything good to carry out His will, and 4) He works in us what is pleasing in His sight.
I will never stop pursuing this work of God in my life. This is the gospel. This is the good news.
Number one – He strengthens, completes, and perfects us. Each of us needs physical, mental, and emotional strength. Living in a fallen world depletes us. We need to be strengthened with the power of God (see Ephesians 6:10 AMPC). Since only He knows the end of our story, only He can complete and perfect us unto that end.
Number two – He makes us what we ought to be. Again, He knows what He has planned for us and what His intentions are. Only He can see what we ought to be and make it happen.
Number three – He equips us with everything good to carry out His will. Authentic Christians want to do God’s will with all their heart. He sees the desire to do His will and equips us with exactly the right resources to do it. Angels, scriptures, revelations, dreams, visions, and many, many other types of “equipment” are made available to us to carry out His will.
Number four – He works what is pleasing in His sight. He works. He is doing the work. And He knows what pleases Him. He works in us that which moves us towards His pleasure. He is pleased with us as His children, and He is pleased with us as we move toward mature manhood in Christ (see Ephesians 4:13).
So, what is our part? What do we do? How does this happen? Again, we rely on the revelation given to the Apostle Paul by Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:12, 13 (NASB)
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Work out your salvation, for it is God who is at work within you. This is informative but let’s look at the Amplified Classic version of this passage. It is lengthy and detailed, but I believe some things will become clearer.
Philippians 2:12, 13 (AMPC)
12 Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). 13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
Immature Christians (some might call them carnal Christians) may not appreciate the second parenthetical phrase in verse 12. “Self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ.” As we grow in our relationship with our Lover Jesus, we notice things that could possibly offend Him. Although He is infinitely patient and kind, He is a person, and He can be offended. The Holy Spirit is a person Who can be offended. We do not work in us to perfect us, God does that. But we can shrink from whatever impedes God’s work in us. We can refuse to trust our flesh. We can be cautious about actions, words, relationships, and how we spend our time. We can develop a very tender conscience. We can watch and persevere against temptation. We can refuse to discredit the name of Christ. But! Not in our own strength! Surrendering to our loving heavenly Father brings and energy, power, and desire to allow Him to work in us. We can be on our guard against the devices designed to hinder us, but ultimately we must surrender to God in all things.
Earlier in this study, I said we would come back to “earnestly and diligently seeking Him” and “vital union.”
Hebrews 11:6 (AMPC)
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
John 15:5 (AMPC)
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
While I no longer believe I can make myself what I ought to be, I do heartily believe that I can get in agreement with my Heavenly Father, the Worker. I can pursue His heart and His thoughts. I can agree with Him in everything He shows or teaches me. I can always make myself available to Him. I can pay attention and listen to Him. I can be present for Him.
John 15:1-8 (TLB)
1 “I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. 2 He lops off every branch that doesn’t produce. And he prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops. 3 He has already tended you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you. 4 Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me. 5 “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing. 6 If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned. 7 But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! 8 My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This brings great glory to my Father.
These were among the last words spoken by Jesus before His crucifixion. They have great import. Beloved, these are words we must carefully and patiently heed. David, the Old Covenant lover of God said this:
Psalms 63:1 – 5 (NKJV)
1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
And this.
Psalms 27: 4-6
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. 5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
There is a passion for our kind and good heavenly Father that brings His presence and His work. There is a place of our surrender that is irresistible to Him. There is a yearning in our hearts in which “deep calls to deep” and He is manifested. And when He manifests, all is well. He works and we rest.