Articles
2Corinthians 07 - Workers Together with Him
Working Together with Him
Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2Corinthians 5:16-21)
In 2Corinthians 5:16-21, Paul makes clear what God has done in Christ that men might be reconciled. Paul now states (2Corinthians 6:1), that he and those with him were workers together with God and Christ to bring about reconciliation between God and men. This tells us that all Christians should be workers together with Him to bring and keep men in proper relationship with God.
Working Because of His Work
God worked—“O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness” (Isaiah 25:1). Jesus worked—“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34). Christians ought to work, just as in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 20:1-16). Our faith is dead if we don’t engage in His work (James 2:14‐26).
Workers with Him in His Work
We must be careful not to work against Him, but with Him. Much religious activity is against the Lord’s revealed truth (2John 9). Christians cannot be neutral, but must be with God. “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). Workers against God will be condemned—we must bear His fruit. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned” (John 15:2). Teaching which does not come from God is against Him. “THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN” (Matthew 15:8-9).
Workers with Others in His Work
Our working is not to be with God only, but we are to work together one with another. God’s people of the past give us an example of readiness to work. “So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6). We should work with all that we have, for in such we will be held accountable (Matthew 25:14‐30). We ought to work with diligence (Ecclesiastes 9:10; 2Peter 1:5). Note how Paul and Apollos worked together (1Corinthians 3:6). Christians are to have the same mind: “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1Corinthians 1:10). Christians are to be of one accord: “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:2). Christians are to strive together: “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). When Christians do not work together, they are like a house divided against itself (Matthew 12:25). Of course, Christians are to work together only that which is right. Togetherness in sin brings condemnation.
One of our greatest shortcomings is a failure to work with God. But even among those who want to work God’s will and way, so many of us do not want to work together. Are you of a mind to work together with Him?
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