[appeared in the March issue of the Mission Cohort newsletter. It's a bit of a long one]
" “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:” Acts 20:19
In addressing the leaders of the church in Acts 20, Paul brings to view the experiences of one who is to be a servant of the Lord: These being the fact that it includes
humility of mind, many tears and temptations.
In the great controversy in which we all are partakers, to some it seems to be a foreign concept that the work of God will include these things. The enemy would have us believe that serving God is a smooth ride in which all the parts of the path are smoothly laid out and in which one glides through without any or much resistance. This is not so. It was not so in Christ’s ministry and as we draw closer to His coming it will not be so with His labourers in the last days.
Conditions facing Christ's labourers.
The condition of the world in which the labourers of Christ are to work is in no wise getting better, thus the difficulties which often assail the work and cause of Christ are to enlarge. Paul speaking of the perilous last days describes that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Tim 3:13). It seems though that many are discouraged and disappointed by the continual challenges faced when undertaking the work of God - but these are to be expected. This is more especially so when more of the Lords resources are being relied on.
The thing we are to fear as those who labour for Christ is not the presence of hurdles and difficulties, but rather the absence of them and the apparent illusion of success. We ought to remember that any success which is achieved before Jesus returns is only partial, because the gospel commission is to extend to all the world, and until the end comes (Matt. 24:14) there is still great work to be carried out and a greater need of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. He is the all sufficient power necessary for the finishing of the gospel work.
The nature of the battle.
The gospel work is a direct warfare against the kingdom of satan, and he will not thus sit idly while the foundation of his aims is challenged. Notice the nature of the enemy’s efforts in the battle and the condition of those with whom he is apparently contending:
“Satan summons all his forces and throws his whole power into the combat. Why is it that he meets with no greater resistance? Why are the soldiers of Christ so sleepy and indifferent? Because they have so little real connection with Christ; because they are so destitute of His Spirit. Sin is not to them repulsive and abhorrent, as it was to their Master. They do not meet it, as did Christ, with decisive and determined resistance. They do not realize the exceeding evil and malignity of sin, and they are blinded both to the character and the power of the prince of darkness. There is little enmity against Satan and his works, because there is so great ignorance concerning his power and malice, and the vast extent of his warfare against Christ and His church.” The Great Controversy, p.507.3 (Emphasis added)
Such is the nature of the battle. It is unfortunate that the enemy invests all that he is and has into the battle of which he is certain (perhaps even more than we are) that he has lost. It is unfortunate though that those against whom he is warring, those who are professedly “labourers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:9) are engaging in the battle as though they were on the losing side.
on the winning team.
Now this is in no wise to say that it is a losing battle. On the contrary; the burden of ones thoughts is in view of the fact that God is an omnipotent Creator who cannot be overcome by anything. Why then do His labourers trust Him so little? Look at what inspiration has to say about the result of a simple trust in Christ:
“In the whole Satanic force there is not power to overcome one soul who in simple trust casts himself on Christ.” Christ’s Object Lessons p. 157.3
Though the enemy may be described as an evil one who throws all that he has into the battle, the entire accumulation of his strongest forces are not able to overcome a single one of those who put their trust in Jesus. Where then is the reason for discouragement? Where then is the reason for despondence and self-pity at the appearance of any and every difficulty? Is not the enemy we face , though evil, yet utterly unable to overcome the powers of Heaven?
The danger of apparent success.
It is a deception of satan to think that Gods work will never be met with opposition. This deception has led to a widespread lack of trust in the power of the Holy Spirit and a more than unnecessary dependence on human agencies, strategies and efforts. This is the danger which tends to arise with apparent success.
“Let us not forget that as activity increases, and we become successful in doing the work that must be accomplished, there is danger of our trusting in human plans and methods. There will be a tendency to pray less, and to have less faith. We shall be in danger of losing our sense of dependence upon God, who alone can make our work succeed; but although this is the tendency, let no one think that the human instrument is to do less. No, he is not to do less, but to do more by accepting the heavenly gift, the Holy Spirit.” Christian Service, p.98.3
TO MOTIVATE MORE THAN DISCOURAGE
In view of this condition that arises with apparent success, to arouse His people to their need of dependence on Him, would it not be needful for God to allow challenges to be experienced in His work that His labourers may see their need of dependence on Him? The evidences of success call to more earnest efforts. Yet the opposite is commonly the case, and thus challenges must come. It is thus that one would understand why Paul could say the following:
“but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; “ Romans 5:3.
It is through those tribulations experienced in His work that God causes us to realise our need and dependence on Him. These are not then to discourage us, they are not to cause us to distrust the presence of God in His work. In fact, these are an opportunity to take the challenge to God for Him to bear; it is His work after all . Notice the following:
“The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate upon themselves. He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according to the price He has placed upon them. God wanted them, else He would not have sent His Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them. He has a use for them, and He is well pleased when they make the very highest demands upon Him, that they may glorify His name. They may expect large things if they have faith in His promises.” The Desire of Ages p.668.1 (Emphasis added.)
When we find ourselves in difficulties which are beyond ourselves, may we never dishonour God by speaking and acting as though the circumstance is somehow too difficult for Him. Rather, let us be encouraged by the fact that we have an opportunity to please God in “making the very highest demand upon Him that we may glorify His name.” When we do so, believing and expecting Him to do His part in taking care of those who trust Him “we may expect large things” .
This is what challenges and difficulties are calling us to: to have faith in the promises of God. “The reason why the precious, important truth for this time is not powerful to save is that we do not work in faith. “ Testimonies, vol.5, p.157.3. But this need never to be the case, because God cares too much for the souls of man, to let His work languish without Him offering the presence and power of His Spirit.
“The warning which we bear to the world must prove to them a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. And will the Lord send forth His servants to proclaim this fearfully solemn message and withhold from them His Holy Spirit? Shall frail, erring men, without special grace and power from God, dare to stand between the living and the dead to speak the words of everlasting life? Our Lord is rich in grace, mighty in power; He will abundantly bestow these gifts upon all who come to Him in faith. He is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him than are parents to give good gifts to their children.” Testimonies vol.5, p.157.3
Such is the provision availed to the labourer of Christ, and even amidst any difficulty, such is still the all sufficient solution: The presence of the Spirit as claimed in calm, simple faith.**
God bless
