Introduction: - Wonderful indeed, our God not only lives but actively engaged in His works. He is not tired, nor troubled in any way. He continues to work. Let us consider few important truths very briefly about the Work of God based on the word of God, the Bible.
(Remember as in other ‘plain truth’ series, these are just points only, which can help the reader to make more detailed study.)

1. Though He works in every area of creation, like sustaining, governing, providing etc. The most important work, God is doing today is the building up of the Church of Jesus Christ. John 6: 17; Matthew. 16: 18.

2. In this building up of the Church of God, He is using men and women, - born again, saved believers - who are part of the body of Christ as co-workers. 1Corinthians 3:9

3. He expects every born again believer to actively participate in the various works associated with the local assembly where they are part of. Hebrews 10: 24, 25; Ephesians 5:19

4. The Lord does provide the necessary gifts and resources to carry out the work He has assigned to each believer. 1Corinthinans 12: 7 – 11; Romans 12: 3 – 11. It is the duty of a Christian to make use of these God-given gifts and they are accountable to Him too.

5. God in His sovereign will calls and separates some for special ministries like evangelism, teaching and shepherding etc. Leaving all other activities they pay attention to that work full time. The Local church recognizes their calling and commends them for such special ministries. Acts 13: 2 – 4; Colossians 1:25. Ephesians 4: 11, 12.

6. Such full time work for God is not like a secular job which in most case based on financial profit for the employer as well as the employee. Christian work is a ministry – it’s a service; wealth creation, large remuneration and other facilities associated with a secular employment can not be expected from the Lord’s work. The only goal for a full time Christian worker is to fulfill the purposes of the Lord by ministering to the spiritual needs of His people. 1Peter 5:3; John 21: 15c, 16c, 17c; 2Corinthians 4: 10 – 12; 6:3ff.

7. It is the Lord who appoints them for His work and hence they are accountable to Him alone. They also have an obligation to the commending local church. Acts 13: 2 – 4.

8. It is the Lord who provides for the needs of His servants in His own time and methods. A worker has to look to God alone for all his needs, not to any human source. Seeking help from man for his needs is an insult to the Lord who called, appointed and promised to provide. Only in certain occasions they took up a secular job as directed by the Lord, without sacrificing their main ministry. Act 18: 3; 20: 33, 34; Philippians 4:11 – 13, 19; 3John 6 – 8.

9. God’s provision for His servants is made possible through His faithful children. Obedient and dedicated believers are able to be guided by the Lord in assisting Him to make sure that all the needs of such full time workers are met in time, in the proper manner. Philippians 4: 10 – 18; 2Corinthians 11: 7 – 9. 1Timothy 5: 17 – 18; 1Corinthains 9: 6 – 14; Galatians 6:6.

10. Lord’s work involves all kinds of hardships. Workers will have to suffer due to attack from outside the congregation as well as inside. Acts 20: 29, 30; 2Corinthians 4:11, 12; 6: 4—10; 11: 23 – 28. Lord’s servants must expect it; saints must prayerfully help them face it effectively.

11. Lord’s work must be done in His own way, not in any way. This work is for Him, His glory, for His Church and for the extension of His own kingdom, not our own. It must be done in the Lord’s guidance, His strength, and using His provisions. Any deviation will lack His approval to that work. Romans 11: 33; Acts 16: 6 – 10. 1Corinthains 3: 10 – 12.

12. Any effort to please man will disqualify a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10. Even self-seeking, self-promotion and self- glory etc also make one unfit for the Lord’s work. 2Corinthains 3; 1; 4:2; 6:3. 1Cori 9:27.

13. Along with such true servants of God, we see false ministers existed even from the first century. God has not called them, nor equipped them, in most cases they are not even true Christians. They only take the name of the Lord for their own gain. Discerning local assembly will not allow them to destroy the progress of the saints’ through their activities. 2Corintahins 11: 13 – 15; Galatians 1:6, 7; 3:1; 1Timothy 1: 3 – 7, 20; Revelation 2: 2.

14. Any spiritual ministry must be based and motivated by the love of / for Christ. John 21: 15 – 17; 2Corinthians 3:14; Reve 2:2, 5.

15. All our work for Christ and for His people will be rightly accounted, analyzed and rewarded suitably at the appropriate time, by the Lord Himself. 1Corinthains 3: 13 – 15; 1Thessalonaians 2:19; 1Peter 5: 4.

NTK

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