In recent posts I have been trying to persuade you that
there is no dichotomy between the sacred and secular. In other words, that as a
Christian you are advancing the Kingdom of God not just on Sunday morning but wherever
you bring order to this world – on the jobsite as an electrician, at home training
your children, resolving a friend’s computer glitch, etc. But what has gone
implied in some of my previous posts must be stated explicitly now to avoid
misunderstanding. Your work advances the Kingdom of God if it is done unto Christ.
ESV Colossians 3:17 “And
whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
What does
it mean to do our deeds “in the name of Christ”? We cannot hope to answer the
question fully in a single blog. But at a minimum, working as “unto Christ”
means our labors are done on the foundation of Christ and according to the
blueprint that God established in His Word. This is the point of Jesus’ parable
of the wise and foolish builders (Luke 6:46-49). The wise man builds his house
upon the rock: Jesus Christ and
according to the instructions of the Lord Jesus Christ. Such a man is doing
everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. And thus when the flood comes (a
figure of Judgment Day) his work stands firm. I.e. it lasts, though it is
purified (vs. destroyed) by fire – melting away the dross and leaving only what
was pure (1 Cor 3:12-13). In contrast the foolish man neither builds on the
foundation of Christ nor builds according to the blueprints that Christ has
given (Luke 6:46). When Judgment Day comes that man and everything he has built
collapses and “the ruin of that house was great.”
Three
conclusions:
1) Whatever you build on the foundation of Christ according to
the Word and will of God will last.
Lay up treasures for yourself in Heaven because you can take it with you! (Mt 6:19-21)
2) Only that which is done “unto Christ” will last.
3) Anything not done “unto Christ” will be lost.
This
suggests that only Christians can do deeds that last. Does this then imply that
the efforts of unbelievers are worthless? In considering the full counsel of
Scripture I do not think that is what the Bible teaches. The Bible does not
teach that only Christians are blessed or gifted or engaged in something worthwhile.
God gives gifts to both the good and the evil (Mt 5:45). The gifts and
resources that unbelievers are given by God are useful not only in this age but
may very well last into the next age. Consider the Parable of the Talents (Mt
25:14-30). At Judgment Day the life’s work of the worthless servant, like the
foolish builder, comes crashing down. But notice that though he was cast into
the darkness, the talent that he was given isn’t abolished but is transferred
to the one who was faithful with 10 talents – i.e. the Christian.
ESV Matthew
25:29 “For to everyone who has will more be given, and
he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will
be taken away.”
Consider also:
ESV Proverbs
13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his
children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.”
So it is not that unbelievers cannot accomplish anything
worthwhile. It is that because they reject Christ whatever they do accomplish
will ultimately be enjoyed by the faithful.
So we ought
not to disparage the works of unbelievers. Often their works of art and deeds
are excellent and honor God more than they themselves know. And if we’re honest,
much of our work depends on the efforts of unbelievers around us and those who
have gone before. (e.g. Some of the people who designed and built this computer
I’m using to type this blog were and are unbelievers.) But let us point them to
Christ. For apart from Him they have nothing and whatever they build will be
left behind for another to enjoy – a faithful person. And let us build our
lives on Christ and according to the Word of Christ. For we have the promise
that we will enjoy such labors:
ESV Isaiah 65:21 “They
shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their
fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not
plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people
be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.”
Questions
to consider:
- Why is the recognition of Christ essential to truly enjoying one’s
works?
- If you knew that the house you were building now is the house you
would inhabit in Heaven, how would you work differently?
- What is your attitude toward your unbelieving coworkers? Do you
rightly value their efforts?
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