Fellow Workers for the Truth

In many of his letters, Paul mentions various brothers and sisters who were his valuable fellow workers and who were so important to him that he sent them special greetings. He also writes about “brethren” and “fellow soldiers.” Paul was very grateful for such brothers and sisters he was able to depend on and who took part in the work being done in Christ. Paul had such a fellow brother in Timothy who was like-minded and who could sincerely care for the Philippians.

This is also how it is today. We are deeply thankful for our fellow brothers and sisters who help us in the work of our salvation and in edifying the body of Christ. Many of us would probably say that without such fellow soldiers, we would be hopeless cases.

In 1 Cor. 3:9, Paul writes: “We are God’s fellow workers . . .” In His work of preparing the bride of Christ, God has seen fit to make use of fellow workers, and we are the ones who are to take on this task. What a glorious calling: God’s fellow workers! The body of Christ—the church—is made ready with the help of such faithful, unselfish, and humble workers, many by their visible ministry, but also many by their hidden ministry! Everyone has their place, where together with all the saints we grow into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit and become more and more united into one whole! What a glorious miracle!

Of course, you can’t become a fellow worker or steward as a matter of course. In God’s kingdom, everything has conditions, and God Himself chooses His fellow workers, those who are faithful and who stand firm in the truth. Such people love the truth. When the light shines on our veil, the love of Christ compels us to press our way in by force, to partake of this eternal salvation.

Since the house of God—the church—is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15), it is not surprising that John, in verse 8 of his third letter, exhorts us to become fellow workers for the truth. This requires absolute purity, sincere love of the brethren, and love toward all people, without partiality. If we are such workers and servants then we, too, like Demetrius, will receive a testimony from the truth itself. V. 12. Such people always take heed to themselves and to the doctrine. Everyone who continues in this and who does this will save themselves and those who hear them, (1 Tim. 4:16) and will become fellow workers for the truth!

Jesus says: “My word is truth.” And in Hebrews 4, we read about those who did not mix the word with faith. In the fiery furnace of testing, I have the opportunity to work with the truth as I melt together, by faith, with the word that I hear. Only then is it of help to me, and then I become a useful fellow worker.

May God strengthen us all in this!