“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus…. to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker (Philemon 1)
Aside being prisoners of Christ we are also called to be fellow workers: fellow workers with God (1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Corinthians 3:9) and fellow workers with one another (Ephesians 4:15-16).
Firstly, we are called to be fellow workers with God. It’s a sobering thought to know that we get to work together with God Himself. God hasn’t sent us out to try and accomplish things on our own. On the contrary, we are to be involved in what He is doing. This is what gives meaning to our work in or outside the church. This is what Jesus modeled for us when He said He only does what He sees His Father doing (John 5:19).
If you are in Christ, then begin to see the work you are involved in, whether inside or outside the church, as work you get to do together with God. Be conscious of God’s presence with you on the job, knowing that He is present to help and work together with you. The awareness of His presence with you will provide the strength, joy and excellence you need to keep going on the job. Therefore, in whatever you are involved in, if you can’t invite God into it, then change it. For we are not called to work away from God but together with Him. This is what pleases Him. Even so, if we know that we are called to be fellow workers with God, then we must not only be engaged in the work which meets our personal needs – although it is the will of God that we work so as not to be in need (1 Thessalonians 4:12 ). We must also be engaged in the greatest work of all, which God has partnered to do with us: “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). In all we do, if we do not make this our most important work, we have failed.
We are also called to be fellow workers with one another. As believers in Christ, we are members of one body, and it is the proper working of each individual part that keeps the body functioning properly as it ought (Ephesians 4:15-16). Just as any part of the human body is in danger of dying when it is separated from the body, so do we restrict our own spiritual development and are in danger of dying when we separate ourselves from the body of Christ. Should we also fellowship with the church as we have been commanded (Hebrews 10:25) but fail to be workers in the house of God, we fail to contribute the part given us, which the whole body of Christ needs to grow properly.
Work is God’s own idea (see Genesis 2:15 and Ephesians 2:10) not the result of the fall of man. In all that God wills for us to do, His goal is to conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Even so, there is a certain aspect of the image of Christ we fail to conform to when we neglect to work; being fellow workers with God and fellow workers with members of His body.
-Dr. K. Omari
January 12, 2020.
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour:
“I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen.
If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.