“WORKING WITH GOD”
How often in life do people struggle with the idea about God still working in our world today? Over the years some adopted the idea that God created the world and stepped back to allow it to run its course. A brief look at Bible history shows such to a false notion. At one time God saw the wickedness of man had grown so much that He made the decision to destroy all humanity except for the righteous (Genesis 6:5). As we know the righteous was composed of only eight people. Ten people could have saved Sodom. The point is that God does care how man conducts himself on this planet.
Righteous souls are to be God’s advertisement to the world. When the unrighteous see the conduct of the righteous the effort behind it is, that they will glorify God (Matthew 5:16). Why would God care unless He is interested in our world and our conduct? We are, by a daily walk with the Lord, being changed into His image for the world to see (II Corinthians 3:18). Why would we find such truths unless God cares about what the world thinks? He strives by means of His Word in the hearts of Christians to influence the world toward His Son, Jesus the Christ.
The Christian is to strive to influence the non- Christian. The Christian wife married to an unchristian husband is, by her life, to try to influence him toward listening to the Word of God (I Peter 3:1). We know for instance that Timothy grew up in a divided home, his father being a Greek. Yet, the influence of his mother and grandmother was able to override the bad influence of his father. God, therefore, could use the conduct of Lois and Eunice to impact the life of Timothy. All the good that he would accomplish could be traced back to his home life and the influence of mother and grandmother.
We are told about the power that works within us (Ephesians 3:20). What is this power that works in us? Paul declares that Jesus is the power and wisdom of God (I Corinthians 1:24). John writes about us abiding in Christ and Christ’s Word abiding in us (John 15:7). Since in the Word of God is revealed the righteousness of God, then it must be in that Word that we go to in order to find the power (Romans 1:17). It is in verse 16 of Romans 1 that Paul writes that the gospel is God’s power to save man. The power then that works in us is through the Word of God.
How does such power work? We see a brother who is overtaken in a fault. What do we do? We go to him and make every effort possible to restore him back to faithful living (Galatians 6:1). When such efforts take place, we ask, why? The reason we do it is that we love his soul and we also consider our own souls. It is the power of God’s Word that motivates our souls to go and try. When we make every effort we can to reach the lost, what motivates us? Is it not the love for the souls of the lost and equal concern for our own soul? What is the origin of such motivation but the Word of God abiding in our hearts?
Paul speaks about our inward man being renewed day by day (II Corinthians 4:16). How does this daily renewal take place? The new (or inward man) is renewed in knowledge (Colossians 3:10). The knowledge is the knowledge that is in the revealed will of God. Wherein then is the power that works within us? It is in the Word of God that abides in our hearts. It is both quick (able to bring to spiritual life) and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). The force of such power is seen as we day by day study and apply the Word of God to our hearts. It is the most powerful force on this earth as regards the spirit of man. It is the force that we strive to bring to all men’s hearts.
Paul speaks about working together with Him, that is, God (II Corinthians 6:1). In the same verse Paul begs the Christians to not receive the grace of God in vain. The grace of God has appeared to all men teaching them (Titus 2:11). Teaching them how? In the very next verse he writes about learning to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (verse 12). The same verse states we are to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Where would we get such information? It is in the Word of God, hence, Jesus came teaching us through that Word.
Back to the Corinthian passage, Paul then writes about the day of salvation (II Corinthians 6:2). Some indeed want power. The real power of God is seen when souls come to His Son in faithful obedience. Let us all work with God.