When you speak of something “hurting the church” do you think of a reduced contribution, hurting the “public image,” or causing some brother to go astray? Honestly now— what is your concept of “the work of God”? A visitor in a foreign field asked the preacher if he might inspect the “work of the Lord.” He expected to be shown the church building, records of attendance, tracts distributed, etc. Instead, he was introduced to a quiet mannered man who was studying the Bible in preparation for a discussion with a neighbor. “This man,” he was later told, “was once a drinking, brawling child of the devil. He is now a respected citizen and servant of Christ. He is the work of God.” Marshall translates Eph. 2:10 “For of him we are a product, created in Christ Jesus...“ God’s work, his love and mercy, his grace, his gift of his Son— all these things produce something, viz., “new” creatures— people whose attitudes and goals are changed so that now they strive to conform to the divine image. (2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 8:29) God’s work is “new” people. In Rom, 14:15 Paul says, “But if thy

brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.” And in verse 20, “For meat destroy not the work of God.” The weak brother, who thought it was wrong to eat meat, was also a product of God’s labor. He could not be cast aside, nor encouraged to act contrary to his convictions, without destroying the work of God. A fellow-traveler on a plane once asked me to name the greatest accomplishment of my life as a preacher. I had little to offer, but hesitatingly suggested that perhaps I had been instrumental in changing a few lives. I do not know what he expected, but at this he lost his arrogance, and our whole conversation changed. Frankly, upon reflection, it frightens me to realize that I must try to live up to this boast. We really become co-workers with God when we change people. “Think BIG” and “Don’t allow people to obstruct progress”?? WHAT progress? There is nothing bigger than the soul of one made in God’s image! [Previous Article] [Next Article]

	Created on 25-Nov-00	Page last updated