Saints,
Before you dismiss this question as too easy to answer or as too theologically deep to worry about, let this question sink in a little--if for no other reason, to help you understand more clearly what you really think about this topic.
Is God doing the work or do we do the work?
Let’s imagine placing our answer on a continuum with God doing all the work on one end and ourselves on the other end.
God does the work---------------------------------------------------------------------------------We do the work
The goal however is not simply to answer this question as much as it is to help us see our own orientation about this question.
So, dear friend what thoughts came to mind as you read the above question? God’s Word is clear that no one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him (John 6:44). We also see in the Bible that as followers of Jesus, Jesus’ Spirit--the Holy Spirit empowers us (Acts 1:8, 4:31).
Remember that even after spending much time with Jesus Himself, Peter failed. Before he received the Holy Spirit he betrayed Jesus. He denied knowing Him three times. However, after he received the Holy Spirit, then through God’s power, he preached a church-growing sermon--God’s power in action. God enabled him to live differently.
So what about us? It seems that as we continue to work in a church or ministry, it is possible for the idea that we are doing the work to settle into our thinking. We can begin to believe that somehow we are the agent of change for our church or ministry. We can cause revival--us.
We know in our heart that this is not really true. Even so, we can let “self” take over. If we are not careful, we begin to really believe that we are doing the work—as if “our efforts” caused closer intimacy with Jesus in ourselves and others.
So what is the natural result of our “wrong thinking?” As you can imagine, we try harder. We pray more. We strain more. We try to pray late at night and more in the morning because after-all, “If we don’t do it, then, who will?”
To be sure, we do something--we surrender. We align with God. We align with God through prayer. I know this sounds simplistic, but Jesus is the answer. Jesus is always the answer.
So, friends, where do we find ourselves on our continuum? Are we convinced that God does the work? Or, do we believe we are doing the work? We must be careful on this. We know from the Bible that God resists pride (James 4:6).
Let me share two quotes to help us get our minds around this topic.
Joey Letourneau describes this pride issue well through his allegorical character, a “Christ-follower.” This “Christ-follower” speaks directly with Abraham in his book, “Revolutionary Freedom,” pg. 131. This is what Abraham says,
“You and your generation can seek to have a great impact and do great things, but you will only be building a tower. To build with God, you must see His potential rather than your own, and you must build toward what you cannot yet see. This role affords no notoriety, it demands perseverance and will require you to live in daily trust and surrender. But it is the greatest of callings. You will be serving His upcoming generation, in whom you will see His greatest promises fulfilled. You and that generation need one another.”
Andrew Murray shares penetrating ideas about humility in his book by that title, “Humility,” pg. 69,
“The highest lesson a believer has to learn is humility. Oh that every Christian who seeks to advance in holiness may remember this well! There may be intense consecration and fervent zeal and heavenly experience, and yet, if it is not prevented by very special dealings of the Lord, there may be an unconscious self-exaltation with it all. Let us learn the lesson: the highest holiness is the deepest humility. Let us remember that comes not of itself, but only as it is made a matter of special dealing on the part of our faithful Lord and His faithful servant.”
As a reminder to us,
Psalms 127:1
“Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Hosea 6:3
“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord.
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
So what is our role? What do we do? Our role is always the same. Fix our eyes on Jesus. Trust Him. Follow—don’t lead—follow Him. Believe Him. Receive from Him. Depend on Him.
Father, please help us. We need you. We admit it. We surrender to you. We desire your plan, your kingdom-not ours. We love you. Please help our hearts be completely focused on Jesus. Fill us with you. Amen
