Doing God's work

[DarkProphet]

Many points of conflict between Christians and non-Christians is when Christians take it upon themselves to "do God's work". What I want to know is who decides what "God's work" is and is not? also why would God need people to do his work for him anyway?

 

[talitha]

That is how God has decided to work, now that the Holy Spirit is available to the believer.

so many scriptures.....

....my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. (Romans 16:20)

*grin*

The Holy Spirit leads us in all things. Not all of us heed His guidance, but nevertheless it is available......


blessings in Jesus
tal

 

[calidog]

Many points of conflict between Christians and non-Christians is when Christians take it upon themselves to "do God's work". What I want to know is who decides what "God's work" is and is not? also why would God need people to do his work for him anyway?

I agree that many of us take it upon ourselves to "do Gods work". God Himself decides who does what. That is why it is important for us to attain to be in Gods will by learning what His will is (studying the bible) and asking Him for His will in our daily life. We often step out of bounds thinking we are doing God a favor by taking on Gods work. Hopefully we eventually learn to be patient.

It is'nt that God needs people to do His work, it is that that is the way He chose to do it.

 

[CShephard53]

What I want to know is who decides what "God's work" is and is not? also why would God need people to do his work for him anyway?

The Bible tells us what God's job is- and I can assure you that it is not our job to lead people to faith. We just plant the seed- God makes it grow. God does not in any way shape or form NEED us to do HIS work. Nor does He NEED us for ANYTHING. He desires us to work. He wants us. Why? I don't know. I don't care in this life, cuz I'm not gonna find out an answer other than that He loves us. Why does He love us? No idea.

 

[tapero]

Many points of conflict between Christians and non-Christians is when Christians take it upon themselves to "do God's work". What I want to know is who decides what "God's work" is and is not? also why would God need people to do his work for him anyway?

Hi, well, we know from the bible about some works. However it's not exhaustive. Gods work is mercy, love, compassion, tenderness, helps, and such of that nature; also doing good, walking the narrow path as best we can, trying not sin, etc.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

So, we are admonished to bless others.

And in life non Christians also can be kind and loving, feed the poor, help the stranger etc. so they are also doing God's work in these things in essence, yet should they never come to believe in God at the time of thier death, there is no reward and judgment awaits them.

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

The gift in this verse refers to salvation, not faith, though commonly misunderstood.

Did a search on the work of God in the NIV, though much more on the work of God is in the bible.

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

Jesus had just made someone who was blind to see.

Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

This is about not causing our brothers to stumble, with our judgments about them.

 

[Eph429]

Hi there

By doing God's work, you will have been called to do God's work, and what is God's work? Preaching the Gospel, telling people about Jesus and leading people to Jesus. It's also serving and blessing others, but......... If you are doing God's work, outside of God's will, you will be striving on your own strength, there will be much frustrations and it will feel like you are stumbling ALL the time, and eventually "burn out".

You will be called to do God's work, by God, and He will make your paths straight.

In Jesus
J

 

[Merlin]

God wrote us His worklist.
We call it the Bible.

 

[ebia]

Many points of conflict between Christians and non-Christians is when Christians take it upon themselves to "do God's work". What I want to know is who decides what "God's work" is and is not?

In the end each of us has to discern what work God requires of us.

also why would God need people to do his work for him anyway?

That's not entirely clear, but he seems to like to work that way. Perhaps it's because its through that work that we are transformed into something closer to what we are meant to be.

 

[MethodMan]

He went ahead of us.


EPH 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

[kulenok]

God's work in people is directed by the Holy Spirit. Like, ther have been time when the Holy Spirit called people in the middle of the night to go to someplace. When they arrived, they always found out that the person living there has prayer for someone to come and help. God's work is anthing that we do in the name of God to get closer to God.

-Alex

 

[heron]

Like, ther have been time when the Holy Spirit called people in the middle of the night to go to someplace. When they arrived, they always found out that the person living there has prayer for someone to come and help. God's work is anthing that we do in the name of God to get closer to God.

Yes, exactly.

why would God need people to do his work for him anyway?

It's not about need, but involvement, working on things together, sharing an experience. You don't need your friends to go to a movie, but you invite them because you want them to share it with you.

Another comparison might be volunteers for political campaigns... people who serve at soup kitchens... parents who coach soccer. The organizations could pay people to do these jobs, but there are people who want to be generous and help out a cause.

 

[Eph429]

The Bible tells us what God's job is- and I can assure you that it is not our job to lead people to faith. We just plant the seed- God makes it grow. God does not in any way shape or form NEED us to do HIS work. Nor does He NEED us for ANYTHING. He desires us to work. He wants us. Why? I don't know. I don't care in this life, cuz I'm not gonna find out an answer other than that He loves us. Why does He love us? No idea.

We are told by Jesus Himself to go make disciples of the nations. I think that warrants for bringing people to the faith. We are "fishers of men".

 

[CShephard53]

We are told by Jesus Himself to go make disciples of the nations. I think that warrants for bringing people to the faith. We are "fishers of men".

No, it is the HS's job to convince people. Not ours. Yes, we have a role. But we do not make the seeds of the Gospel sprout and grow.

 

[Criada]

God doesn't need our help! He is an omnipotent sovereign God - if He needed anything He would not be God!!!
BUT - He loves us!
He wants us to be like Him, and to participate in what He is doing.

When I do housework, I do not need help from my toddler! Often I would get on better without it! But I love her, and she wants to be with me, doing what I am doing.
God is my Father, I love Him, and I ant to do the things He is doing.
So He lets me, He encourages me, and He uses me. Because He loves me. But never because He needs me!!

It all comes down to love again.
Which is the answer to all of your questions!
God loves you!!!

 

[heron]

We have some inherent needs in us --

-A passion to explore new realms
-An impulse to create and recreate...synthesize solutions and invent
-A need to be appreciated and respected for what we do
-A desire to help other people, even if we lose something in the process

There are more. But these are all thing people will do without any care about money or fame. Without them, we feel like an empty shell, controlled by others' whims. They are a purpose in themselves.

God knows that we are happier when we are productive, creative, trying new things. When He allows us to get involved with Him, He is satisfying some of our basic needs.

 

[ManOfTheAmish]

I am a firm believer that Christians should live by example in showing others a virtuous path of living.

I don't support fear mongering or force by any means.

 

[tapero]

I am a firm believer that Christians should live by example in showing others a virtuous path of living.

I don't support fear mongering or force by any means.

I agree.

I also think we should be real, and let others see our failings, as this shows them we are real and holding nothing back.

I believe we shouldn't hide things, as many Christians do.

Mainly referring to relationships with non Christians. I don't mean to reveal all (since many things are too personal to share, depending on the relationshop), but to reveal that we sin and fail all the time.

It is our love of Christ, and being our true selves around others, that helps them the most.

If they see us as Christians who struggle, they will be able to put away misconceptions of Christianity, as well as see there are Christians who are not hypocrites, (though I believe we are all hypocritical at times, and only we ourselves and God knows) which is a major stumbling block to non Christians.

We are hypocrites when we don't reveal that we struggle and sin. Again, I'm talking about a non Christian friend we are trying to reach.

Thus revealing the truth of the gospel, to them, which is we all sin and fall short.

Also, it also is effective, re the above in helping other Christians. As Christians often get disillusioned by hypocrisy.

Blessings,
tapero

 

[Eph429]

Can I ask something then? And please excuse if I sound a bit "naive"?....but what did Paul, Peter, Barnabas, Steven, Timothy, Titus, and all the other Apostles and the saints in the NT do if it weren't God's work?

 

[gracealone]

Why would God need people to do His work for Him?

Great question, Dark Prophet. It does seem odd that God who is omnicient, omnipotent, and omnipresent would need anyone to help him out with His agenda.

But Christians aren't called to DO His work for Him but rather to share in His work to have the enormous priviledge of taking part in His work of reconciling people to Himself. The only way a Christian can do this work is by God doing the work in and through them. Our part is a willing submission to that work because we have come to understand that there is nothing greater than to be swept up into a loving and eternal relationship with Him through Christ. So we aren't doing His work for Him rather He is affording us the opportunity to share in His work. The apostle Paul when He penned his letter to the early Christians in Corinth put it this way.
2 Corinthians 5:20 ...Therefore we are ambassadors of the Messiah, (Yeshua/Jesus); in effect, God is making His appeal through us. What we do is appeal on behalf of the Messiah, "Be reconciled to God."
So to answer your question God does not need us to do His work but rather He allows us the honor of sharing in His work.
I appreciate your questions... you are a deep thinker. Perhaps... God is after you... I hope so cause if He is you will not escape His love and when and if He finally reaches you.. I promise you that you will be overjoyed.
Warmest Regards!!

 

[Rafael]

God shares with us His divine nature of love. We learn what the work of true love is by giving of self, expecting nothing in return.
The poor of the world are always with us, Jesus said, and every time we give to, even the least person on earth, we have given to Him, He declares. Even a glass of water given in His name will not go without reward the Bible tells us, so, we have lots of work to do in this world if we do not let the opulence of our live-styles blind us from the needs right before our eyes in this world