God’s purpose for our life
As saved members of Christ’s body, we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works. His purpose for us is not just to wait for his return, when we’ll be caught up to be forever with the Lord in heaven, but that our lives, or daily walk on this earth, should be about performing the good works which he has ordained for us.
But what are the good works we are to walk in, and how are we to understand the instruction to work out our own salvation, with fear and trembling?
By force, or by faith?
In addition to being God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, it is also God who then works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. But God does not force his will on anyone. It’s important to understand that God’s work in us is accomplished by faith; by our assent to the truth of what God has spoken, by our yielding to his Spirit-inspired written word.
We only became a new creature, created in Christ Jesus, because we heard and believed the gospel that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again for our justification. Because we fully assented to that truth, we gladly, and confidently, entrusted our eternal future to Christ. It was by faith in the truth of what Christ accomplished on the cross, that God’s holy Spirit carried out the workmanship of baptising us into the body of Christ. We can’t claim or glory in anything we performed to accomplish that miracle; we simply believed, and God performed the work, saving us entirely by his grace.
The same is true of any work of value performed after we are saved. It is God who works in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Our part is simply to believe, and therefore yield to the word of truth, in which God has provided details of how to be fully equipped, or as the KJV Bible puts it: “to be throughly furnished”, to perform all those good works which he has ordained for us.
Consequences of believing, or believing not, the gospel of Christ
God does not force anyone to believe the gospel and accept his free, loving gift, of forgiveness and eternal life. But the consequences of not believing the gospel are made crystal clear: condemnation and the just punishment of torment in the lake of fire and brimstone, from which there is no escape, for eternity.
That certainty of judgment is foolishness to a non-believer, but it strikes fear and trembling into the heart of a sinner who believes the truth, and who therefore gladly places their trust in Christ’s payment for sins, resting in the assurance that God, who cannot lie, promised them eternal life by faith in the gospel of Christ, the power of God unto salvation, to all who believe.
Faith is required to serve and please God
God doesn’t force a saved person to do anything, and yet scripture teaches that we’re bought with a price, and saved for God’s purpose. Whether we believe, reject, or neglect this truth, also has consequences, for this life and for that which is to come.
By reading, studying, and believing what’s written in the Bible, we put on the mind of Christ, so we can live godly in Christ. Choosing this manner of life is profitable unto all the things that God has called us to labour in; and it comes with a promise from God, for this life and that which is to come.
Therefore, we are happy to labour in the gospel, and to suffer the associated reproach and persecution, because we absolutely believe and trust in God’s promises.
It is by our faith in God’s instruction to the church, the body of Christ, that he works effectually in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. If we don’t believe what’s written in the word of God, then we won’t yield to it, so we won’t learn correct doctrine, to be reproved, corrected and instructed in righteousness by it. Without studying, rightly dividing and yielding to the truth of the scriptures, we won’t be throughly furnished unto all the good works that God has before ordained that we should walk in.
If we do believe, then we will walk after the Spirit-inspired instruction for members of the church today, as revealed by Christ to the apostle Paul; and it is by that walk, that yielding to the truth, that God will work in us, by his living word, both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Appearance at the judgment seat of Christ
As Paul explained, all believers must stand before the judgement seat of Christ, to be judged according to their works. This is the context in which we learn that even saved individuals are warned about the terror of the Lord.
Knowing therefore, the great reward for good works that awaits faithful servants at the judgment seat of Christ, and also knowing the terror of standing before the Lord, having not yielded to the truth by which he would have worked in us, Paul persuaded men.
We, therefore, must also consider how we should walk, now that we have salvation. How seriously should we take our vocational responsibility to learn and perform the good works to which all believers are called? Should we adopt a comfortable life of denial and selfishness, or should we work out our own salvation, with fear and trembling? These are questions which this study seeks to answer.
The purpose of growing in knowledge
We begin to see and experience the impact of God’s workmanship in us, as we grow in the knowledge of the truth, by studying the Bible, rightly divided. It is by God’s word, which effectually works in us, that the fruit of his Spirit is manifest in our character; equipping us not just with knowledge, which in itself is nothing, but with charity, without which we are unable to effectively preach the gospel, or edify one another.
God teaches us through his word, establishing us in correct doctrine, reproving, correcting and instructing us in righteousness, so we may be perfected and fully equipped to perform the works that he has before ordained that we should walk in them.
Because it is only God’s word which can perfect and equip us to do his work, we are instructed to study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth, so we can be as workmen that need not to be ashamed.
Making God’s purpose, our purpose
The question should not be, what is our purpose in life, but what is the purpose of God; what is his purpose that he has called us, by the gospel, to be a part of?
The purpose of God, to bring life and immortality to light, was made manifest in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. It was by this gospel that we are saved and called to serve, not according to our own works or purpose, but according to the purpose and grace of God.
The manner of life for a peculiar people
Knowing that the grace of God has now appeared in Christ’s death burial and resurrection, bringing salvation to all men, what does that teach us about God’s intended focus of our lives, as we wait for his appearing?
Redeemed from all iniquity to a life of zealous good works
We see in these verses, from Titus chapter 2, that Christ gave himself for us, not just to save us, but to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify us as a peculiar people who are zealous of good works. As we saw, in 2 Timothy 2:15 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17, this purification and perfection of the man of God, is achieved through being equipped by God, as we study his word of truth, rightly divided. This is how we learn the mind of Christ that we are told to put on. We read how Christ humbled himself in obedience, choosing to suffer even death, in order to perform the will of the Father, for the sake of all mankind.
It is through God’s word that we also learn about the life of Paul, who God gave as a pattern of Christ’s longsuffering to all who would believe the gospel after Paul. That includes us.
Inevitability of persecution for all who live godly, in Christ Jesus
As believers, it is important for us to know about the doctrine which Christ revealed to Paul for the church, the body of Christ. It is also important to learn about Paul’s purpose and manner of life because, as we’ve just read, it serves as the pattern for all who have believed since Paul. It’s where we discover the life that God intends for all who have placed their trust in Christ, having heard and believed the gospel of our salvation.
Unlike the worldly ambitions of respect, wealth, and status, that many religious leaders desire, the life which a true believer should expect, is rather different. If we follow the doctrine, manner of life, purpose, and character of Paul, the pattern which God gave for the church the body of Christ, we can expect a life in which persecution and affliction is the norm.
The sufficiency of God’s grace
Of course it is comforting, against that backdrop of persecution and affliction, that nothing can separate us from the love of God, and that his grace is sufficient in all of life’s circumstances.
Such is the sufficiency and power of God’s grace that, as we trust him, and experience his grace, we can glory in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions and distresses for Christ’s sake. In our weakness, we can know the strength of God, by his sufficient grace working in us, strengthening us in our inner man. Imagine taking pleasure in life’s most difficult circumstances, yet that is the reality we can each know – if we believe the scripture, and therefore allow it to work effectually in us.
Reading, learning, and yielding to the Spirit
As we’ve seen, it is through study of God’s word, rightly divided, that we learn about the good works we are to perform. In addition, by his word working effectually in us, the performance of those good works becomes the zeal of our lives, the primary focus and desire that motivates our daily thoughts and actions.
It is by yielding to the truth of God’s word, which is walking after the Spirit, that God’s will becomes our will. If, by faith, we choose to walk after the holy Spirit-inspired words of God, then we will no longer desire to walk after the flesh, with its ungodly lusts.
By walking in the Spirit, ungodliness and worldly lusts are naturally replaced by a zeal and desire to live soberly (that is wisely), righteously, and godly, in this present world.
This is how God works in us, to create a peculiar people with zealous passion and eagerness to perform the work which he has before ordained that we, the church, the body of Christ, should walk in, in this present world.
Planting and watering the seed of God’s word
Paul warned the Corinthians about following men, whether it be Paul or Apollos, whose work or labour he describes as planting and watering, pointing out that it is God who gives the increase.
As part of the same body, together with Apollos, Paul explains that he that planteth and he that watereth are one, and that every man shall receive according to his own labour.
While Christ gave Paul as our pattern for Christian life today, scripture instructs us to follow Paul, in the way the he followed Christ.
Paul and his fellow labourers taught his ways in Christ, and brought them to remembrance in all the churches, beseeching them to be followers. This is also our example.
Labourers and God’s husbandry, one in Christ
Paul referred to himself and Apollos as labourers together with God; whereas, to the Corinthian church of carnal babes in Christ, he calls them God’s husbandry. Husbandry, as a noun, is something being cultivated, cared for and nourished up to grow strong, healthy and bear fruit; it is God’s building, or something being raised up as a structure.
Therefore, within the same body, there were labourers doing the work of planting and watering, alongside God’s husbandary, who were being nourished and built up for a purpose. Paul warned about not about making one person above another, for we are all one in Christ Jesus and all have need of each other.
Just like the Corinthians, who did not recognise their carnal infancy, that same carnal, child-like mindset, is the state of any believer who is yet to be nourished up in sound doctrine. We all need to first grow spiritually, to be able to teach others also. Indeed, this is the will of God for all faithful men, that they teach others, so that the word of God increases, and his will is performed; that others will be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Therefore, there are teachers and those being taught in the body of Christ; for the purpose that they might be able to teach others also. Both have a need of each other, as well as each having a purpose and responsibility in God’s work.
The doctrine which Christ revealed to Paul, was preached, written and demonstrated in Paul's manner of life, to instruct the church which is Christ's body in this age of grace. They, and we, are told to hold fast and keep those words of sound doctrine.
Building up the church which is Christ’s body
Like Paul and Apollos, labourers must work as one, planting and watering; understanding that it is God who gives the increase and thus causes the church to grow, to enlarge or grow up.
A building is otherwise known as an edifice. So, when considering the work of planting and watering, we see that it is for the purpose of enabling the church, to be edified, raised up, or increased by God.
It is important to notice that while God gives the increase, the seed planted and water applied determine the nature of the building, or the nature of the people who grow up within the church. Therefore, we must understand what is meant by the analogy of seed and water, because not just any seed or any water will result in the required outcome.
We also need to understand the responsibility and associated judgment that awaits members of the church, whether they be workers planting and watering with doctrine, or (spiritually) younger vessels, recipients of that doctrine. Each member of the body of Christ has a responsibility to search the scriptures and study the word of truth rightly divided, as workmen that need not to be ashamed, so they can discern and compare doctrine that is being taught with that which is written in the word of God.
Judgment for that great house, whose foundation is Christ
Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, is the only foundation upon which any person may be established as a member of the church, the body of Christ.
Paul’s labour in the gospel, was to lay that foundation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, upon which the church today is built.
However, even if built on that foundation, it is important to know that the work of each individual member will be judged as either gold, silver, precious stones, or even wood hay or stubble that will be burned up.
The quality of work that goes into cultivation and edification of the church, by the planters and waterers, has a bearing on how every individual’s works will be judged, either as precious, or to be burned up. Therefore, those who teach others in the body, have a great responsibility to take heed how they build, for the sake of the body, and because they too will be judged by God, according to the type of work and building, of what sort it is.
Those who labour in preaching and teaching others will face judgment, not according to how hard they worked, but according to how they have laboured, and therefore, the quality of their work. The judgment criteria is about whether they have worked with sincerity and gravity, to study and teach sound uncorrupted doctrine that can’t be condemned. In all things, teachers should show themselves to be a pattern of good works.
What makes a vessel honorable or dishonorable?
Those who labour according to that pattern of good works will receive a reward, and the recipients of their labour will be judged as honorable vessels of gold, silver and precious stones. Those who teach contrary will suffer loss of reward, and will have their works burnt up at the judgement seat of Christ.
We know, from 2 Timothy, that in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
Those vessels, or members of the church, who are not nourished and built up in sound doctrine will still be saved, but they will experience dishonour, that is shame, disgrace, reproach and indignity at the judgment seat of Christ, if they have not sought and yielded to the instruction which Christ delivered to Paul, for the church.
Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand the importance of being fed and watered with sound doctrine. He used himself and Apollos as examples, to demonstrate that it is that which is written in God’s word which is vital for healthy growth, and that they should not put any man, even Paul or Apollos, above that which is written.
Paul prayed for the churches that they would increase in knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding. They were exhorted to compare spiritual things with spiritual, so that they could discern the truth. He commended the Bereans for receiving the word with all readiness of mind, yet searching the scriptures daily to see if what was being preached was correct. He thanked God that the Thessalonians received what he had preached as being the truth, the word of God that effectually works in those that believe it.
In essence, all believers are required to search the scriptures and study the word of truth rightly divided, as workmen that need not to be ashamed, so they can discern and compare doctrine that is being taught with that which is written in the word of God. As they learn the truth, faithful men are also called to teach others, so that the church will grow and be built up in the true word of God. This is because only the true word of God, the doctrine he gave for his church, the body of Christ in this age of grace, is able to build a people zealous of the good works which he has before appointed that we should walk in them.
Vessels of gold, silver and precious stones contain and yield to the pure and uncorrupted doctrine that Christ gave for his church in this age of grace, doctrine which effectually works in them according to God’s workmanship. He gives the increase, based on being built upon the foundation of belief in the gospel of Christ and receiving sound doctrine, whereby members of his body are nourished up and come unto the knowledge of the truth, which is the will of God.
Required pattern of humility and obedience to serve the will of God
We see from scripture that Paul had many fellow labourers in the gospel. They were instructed to let this mind be in them, which also was in Christ Jesus.
Our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ demonstrated humility and obedience to do the will of the Father, serving the needs of mankind in his perfect sacrifice on the cross, bringing life and immortality to light through the gospel. As planters and waterers, that same mindset of humility and obedience needs to be in labourers within the church, willing to sacrifice self in preaching Christ Jesus the Lord, as servants to others and for Jesus’ sake.
The pattern for a believer who has this treasure of the gospel of Christ in their earthen vessel, and who will labour in it diligently, is one in which they can expect trouble and persecution, but also hope, strength, and daily renewing of the inner man by God’s grace. It is for this reason that they faint not, even prepared to suffer death for the sake of the gospel. Their focus is not on temporal circumstances, but on eternal things, as they work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, as labourers together with God. Though they suffer outwardly, in fear and trembling, they are renewed daily in their inner man.
It is important to understand, and be confident, that such commitment to labour in the gospel can only be motivated by the love of God. and the mercy he has shown us, as he humbled himself and gave himself for us all, even unto death. Therefore it is important to study the word of God, that we might put on the mind of Christ and be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
That mindset of humility and obedient self-sacrifice for the sake of others, was in Paul also, who was given as a pattern for the church, and who suffered many persecutions for their and our sake, including being stoned to death. He did this willingly, for a number of reasons, not least of which was that he knew the abundant grace of God, working in others, would through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God.
Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord
Paul also demonstrated this pattern of labour and suffering for the sakes of others in the church, because he understood the terror of the Lord and the judgment that awaits each member of the church, where they will receive according to what they’ve done here, in their earthly bodies, whether it be good or evil.
A “great evangelist”, or a humble servant of Christ?
Paul also explained, that through sufferings associated with labour in the gospel of Christ, the life of Jesus is made manifest in our weakness. In other words, people will see that the power to save souls is entirely of God, and not due to the performance of some great, strong, and highly skilled orator. They will see more clearly that those who labour in the work of God are merely vessels who have heard, received, and are called to preach the gospel of Christ, the power of God unto salvation, unto all who believe.
In our weakness, others will see more clearly that we speak the gospel, not because we are full of health, wealth and fleshly confidence, but because we believe it to be true. Despite persecutions and trouble on every side, our joy and bold confidence is because we truly believe that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus.
It is God’s grace working in us, which teaches us to set aside ambitions of personal gain in order to bring the gospel to those who need it, that they might gain eternal life.
Working out your own salvation, to the glory of God
Because Christ made himself of no reputation, humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, God has highly exalted him: that every knee should bow and tongue confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Paul explained to the Philippians that it is for this reason, by this example which Christ set, that they should work out their own salvation.
This is the pattern of work which God has given for all who have gained salvation through the gospel of Christ. It is a pattern of humble obedience to do the will of the Father, to perform the works which he before ordained that we should walk in them. Such good works are only possible by God’s grace working in us, for his purpose, to do of his good pleasure.
God requires us, therefore, to be likeminded, to do all things without murmurings and disputings, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Nothing in our labour of love should be done through strife or personal vainglory; but in lowliness and humbleness of mind we must each esteem other better than ourselves.
We are called to work together to the glory of God the Father, not for our own glory in this present world. Nevertheless, we can and should have our sights also set on the eternal unseen things above, knowing that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Working together as fellow labourers in God’s purpose, we don’t look on our own things, but every man also on the things of others and the will of God, which is that all men be saved and come onto the knowledge of the truth.
Our primary task - to preach the gospel of salvation
Shining as lights in this dark and perverse world, the primary work we are to perform is in holding forth the word of life, that others might hear, believe and therefore place their trust in Christ’s shed blood as full payment for their sins.
This was the work which Christ gave the apostle Paul, and which has been passed on to each member of the body of Christ, through the written word of God. This work is our responsibility to God, for the sake of Christ and for all lost sinners whom he came to save.
The stakes are high, as we consider the wages of sin and the eternal torment that awaits all who reject God’s mercy and grace, which was given in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The pure gospel of Christ must be preached. As fellow labourers with God, this is the work which all members of the body of Christ are called to, and in which they will be judged. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade believers to perform those good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
God has made perfect provision for salvation in Christ; there is no other way for men to be saved in this age of grace, and so he has made his church, the body of Christ, to be the ground and pillar of the truth.
We are to hold fast that form of sound words which Christ delivered to Paul, and to teach no other doctrine.
This clear instruction is because flattering words and fair speeches won’t save anyone, but rather, they are used to deceive the hearts of the simple. We must mark and avoid those who cause division through doctrine contrary to that given to the church, the body of Christ, and we must not be ashamed to defend the gospel of Christ which, alone, is the power of God unto salvation unto everyone that believes.
For these reasons we labour in the gospel of our salvation, careful to ensure that we defend the truth and preach no other gospel; for there is no other gospel that can save in this age of grace, other than that which Christ delivered to the apostle Paul, which we have received, by which we are saved and wherein we stand.
We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad; knowing that of the Lord we shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for we serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
The impact and benefit of fear and trembling
It might seem a strange idea to associate our wonderful salvation, and eternal life in Christ, with fear and trembling. But scripture clearly says, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. So, there must be good reason; and that is exactly what we see: that this fear and trembling is used by God to bring about good, both ours and those who hear us. When was the last time we genuinely trembled with fear when considering salvation, and how we ought to be responding to the mercy God has shown us?
This study was intended to help raise awareness of our calling to labour in the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation. Its gravity, as the only means by which men can receive salvation and escape the wrath to come, should be sufficient cause for us to fear and tremble. However, knowing also that each saved member of the church will appear before the judgment seat of Christ, to be judged according to our works, should be another reason for fear and trembling.
In either case, unless we harden our hearts to the truth, the benefit of fear and trembling is that we take our calling to the work of the gospel so seriously that it becomes the goal of our lives, humbly and obediently serving God according to his will; for Christ’s sake, for the sake of others, and to the glory of God the Father.
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