Work for the Gospel

Work for the Gospel

You do not bother with something if you are not working with it. Running like a red line through Paul’s epistles is the thought that it is of vital importance to work with the gospel. For example: “Holding forth the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Phil. 2:16. Here Paul emphasizes that he did not reckon their salvation to be worth anything at all if they were not involved in holding forth words of life. He applied their holding forth words of life as a kind of gauge of the result of his own work, and this work was exclusively the work for their salvation.

Their work for the gospel was therefore a gauge of their own salvation and of the apostle’s work.

Consequently, he did not value those who were passive; on the contrary, he took their inactivity as a sign that nothing worth mentioning had occurred in them. This is something that we need to pay good heed to, for this is not the usual way of thinking.

Paul rejoiced over the Philippians because of their fellowship with him, (not in the doctrine, but) in the work of the gospel (Phil. 1:4-5); they had fellowship with him in this from the first day.

What did this fellowship consist of? It consisted of displaying a lively interest in proclaiming the gospel themselves in every way by praying for the work, by always being informed about the progress of the activity in their own country and abroad, by giving thanks and singing songs of praise as the Word made progress, by regularly providing economic aid (Phil. 4:15-16), by all kinds of helpful ministries and works of faith.

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love . . . .” 1 Thess. 1:3. This had left a deep impression on him. “For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only . . . but also in every place.” V. 8.

“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess. 1:11-12. In other words, it is the work of faith that produces glory. If there is no such work, neither will there be any glorification. Therefore the work proceeds in two directions: outward, whereby more people are led to partake of salvation, and inward, unto sanctification, which leads to glorification.

It is no wonder that Paul put such emphasis on this work, that he reckoned he had worked in vain for all such passive souls. These souls were the ones who had been the object of God’s love like the others, but whose hearts did not reciprocate His love.

“But He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.’” Luke 4:43.

It is highly recommended that the friends in each locality begin to hold meetings in the surrounding areas. This has been done in several places, and it has led to glorious results.

He who loves much, serves much. He who loves little, serves little. He who does not serve with joy, and heartily, does not love.