What Does It Mean to Work Together with Jesus?
“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” - 2 Corinthians 6:1
At one time, Paul followed his own agenda, and he was quite powerful and successful by worldly standards. He was respected as a Pharisee. He was authorized by the high priests to persecute and imprison followers of the church. He considered himself a zealot for the Lord and believed he was fulfilling the call on his life. One the road to Damascus, however, the apostle was deeply humbled to realize he had been pursuing the will of Paul, rather than the will of God. When he received the Holy Spirit, everything changed – his life, his heart, and his agenda. Paul stopped working against the Lord and started working with him.
So, what does it mean to work together with the Lord? Primarily, it means trusting in the Son of God, his redemptive work on the cross, and his resurrection and ascension. One must receive and accept the gifts of salvation and the Holy Spirit. Through them, God’s agenda becomes ours, and his power becomes active and alive within us. Working with the Lord means living according to the Spirit, rather than the flesh. Paul surrendered his former self – his earthly authority, status, intellect and righteous deeds – and recognized that he was a man in desperate need of redemption.
If ever someone was healed, redeemed, and transformed by the grace and love of God, it was Paul. Once intent on destroying the church, he became zealous to build it. Whatever the consequences, the apostle taught that the Son of God was the only path to the Lord. He sacrificed everything he once was and had to follow Jesus. When people encountered Paul, they experienced Jesus’ ministry.
Are you, like Paul, consumed and driven by passion for the Lord? Your ministry might look quite different than his, but that does not make it any less important or impactful. God seeks people through whom he can build the church, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and shine his holy and glorious light into this world. Whatever the specifics of our service, we are all called to accept that his agenda is the agenda. Why? Because he is God, and we are not. As his beloved children, we will find no greater joy in life than working together with Jesus. It is quite liberating to know that we are not dependent on our own power, intellect or vision! The indwelling Spirit will provide guidance, strength, and enlightenment for our hearts and minds.
What does it mean for you to work together with Jesus?
Reflection:
Take some time today to ask the Lord if you are truly working together with him – in your church, your home, your workplace, and everywhere you go.
At one time, Paul followed his own agenda, and he was quite powerful and successful by worldly standards. He was respected as a Pharisee. He was authorized by the high priests to persecute and imprison followers of the church. He considered himself a zealot for the Lord and believed he was fulfilling the call on his life. One the road to Damascus, however, the apostle was deeply humbled to realize he had been pursuing the will of Paul, rather than the will of God. When he received the Holy Spirit, everything changed – his life, his heart, and his agenda. Paul stopped working against the Lord and started working with him.
So, what does it mean to work together with the Lord? Primarily, it means trusting in the Son of God, his redemptive work on the cross, and his resurrection and ascension. One must receive and accept the gifts of salvation and the Holy Spirit. Through them, God’s agenda becomes ours, and his power becomes active and alive within us. Working with the Lord means living according to the Spirit, rather than the flesh. Paul surrendered his former self – his earthly authority, status, intellect and righteous deeds – and recognized that he was a man in desperate need of redemption.
If ever someone was healed, redeemed, and transformed by the grace and love of God, it was Paul. Once intent on destroying the church, he became zealous to build it. Whatever the consequences, the apostle taught that the Son of God was the only path to the Lord. He sacrificed everything he once was and had to follow Jesus. When people encountered Paul, they experienced Jesus’ ministry.
Are you, like Paul, consumed and driven by passion for the Lord? Your ministry might look quite different than his, but that does not make it any less important or impactful. God seeks people through whom he can build the church, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and shine his holy and glorious light into this world. Whatever the specifics of our service, we are all called to accept that his agenda is the agenda. Why? Because he is God, and we are not. As his beloved children, we will find no greater joy in life than working together with Jesus. It is quite liberating to know that we are not dependent on our own power, intellect or vision! The indwelling Spirit will provide guidance, strength, and enlightenment for our hearts and minds.
What does it mean for you to work together with Jesus?
Reflection:
Take some time today to ask the Lord if you are truly working together with him – in your church, your home, your workplace, and everywhere you go.
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