5 characteristics of God’s workers:
- Approved by God
- Right Attitude
- Right Appetite
- Accurately handling God’s Word
- Right Action
Christians are called to be workers of God’s will. Their motives in their occupations for God while on earth will impact their future when Christ appears (Prov 16:2; 21:2). Ideally, each of their work on earth should be aligned with God’s will. That can be determined by their decision to abide in the Holy Spirit and in the Word of God. They are called by God through faith in Jesus Christ. Their salvation is already secured by the grace of God alone. Their works for God are outcomes of their joy of eternal salvation and deep gratitude to Jesus’ perfect work of salvation. Their obedience to do God’s will does not add to salvation. Their obedience helps in their fellowship with God and worship of God.
- APPROVED by the Almighty God. Christian workers are not approved by seminaries or universities or by any human institution. God commends all His workers for they called by God to serve Him and the gospel. They have the indwelling Holy Spirit and are commanded to be diligent to learn and practise how to use His Mighty Sword, which is the Word of God. They are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works.
- Right ATTITUDE. Christian workers should not be sloppy or slothful. They are to be diligent and conscientious knowing that they serve the Lord Jesus Christ in all that they do. Since they are approved by God they should flee youthful passions. They should not pursue vain glory and the love of money. They should pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness, peace and purity (1Tim 6:11; 2Tim2:22). They need to be humble to learn and be corrected by God’s word.
- Right APPETITE. Christian workers should spend time feeding on the Bread of Heaven, the Word of God. The need for daily physical food is a daily reminder for them to have a regular and disciplined intake of all kinds of spiritual truths – from Genesis to Revelation (Ps 1, 119; Matt 4:4; Jn 4:34; 2Tim 3:16-17)
- ACCURATELY handling God’s Word or right interpretation. Like skilful surgeons and swordsmen, they should constantly learn to wield the Sword of the Spirit. The Word of God has divine power to demolish spiritual strongholds and to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:5). Scripture interprets scripture and the Holy Spirit interprets spiritual truths to those who have His Spirit. Mature Christian workers constantly develop skills of handling “meat” teachings. They learn to discern false teachings, recognise strange & diverse teachings, scripture that is twisted by the error of lawless people (2Pet 3:16-17).
- Right ACTION. God works within His workers inwardly by cleansing of sins in their hearts when they confess their sins, and by renewing of their minds. The outcome is their sincere devotion to God, private prayers, personal study of God’s Word, and cultivation of Christ-likeness. The outward deeds are evangelism and edification, intercessions for others, good works in the home, social settings, places of study or vocation, local church and world missions.
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
