I thought I would write about one of my favorite Scriptures in the Bible. It’s found in the book of Philippians: “For God is at work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:3, NIV).
Many times in our Christian journeys, we lose site of the fact that whatever God asks of us, He also works into us. It’s not so much that we are working for God, but that He is working through us. Thus, the works are by His grace and not through our natural human effort (or flesh).
This may sound too easy, yet it’s exactly what Jesus meant when He said “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
“Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit” Zechariah 4:6
The work of God is not meant to be performed in our own strength. By abiding in Christ, He inspires and enables us to do what He calls us to do. The promise is that He will work it in us both to will and to do. This is a wonderful thing. Paul called it a mystery: “…this mystery among the gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
We simply walk in that which God calls us to do, by His grace. As it is written: “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
This verse states clearly that we are HIS workmanship (and not our own), and the works we do—we “walk in them.” It doesn’t say that we strive in them or work them up, but we walk in them. This walk could involve some sacrifice and may not be easy on the flesh nature, but it will always be graceful to the spiritual person within us. It will be easy from the inside out because Christ Jesus is the Author of it. As it is written: “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees” (Ezekiel 36:27, NIV) and again in Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
The Sail of the Heart
You see, our hearts are much like a sail boat. All we need to do is be open to the Lord and His Spirit and put up our sails. It is the wind that does all the work. As it’s written in the Psalms: “I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me” (Psalm 57:2).
Jesus Himself said: “Verily, verily I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:19).
This is an amazing statement. Jesus is declaring His absolute dependence on the Father. Think of it. There were many people in need of healing in Jesus’ time, yet Jesus did not run around frantically in His own power to heal all of them. He kept His eyes on the Father and healed only those to whom the Holy Spirit led Him or brought His way. He knew that His Father was in control of all things and Jesus trusted in Him.
Abiding in Christ
The Lord does not want any works for Him to be dead works of striving in our natural energy. Many Christians have been led astray by this error. Tired of trying to live up to the “Christian” performance, they often fall away, burned–out and resentful. Little do they understand that they have been trying to earn their favor with God, instead of freely receiving His love and grace.
Rather, our works are to be the fruit of a life abiding in Christ. This is the work that will have lasting results and keep us in close relationship with Jesus and in love with Him.
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14).
“Abide in me and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
Any way you look at it, it still comes down to one word: Grace.
In Christ Jesus,
Richard O. Webb
HeartoftheLord.org
