quote:
Yet are we expected to simply enjoy the presence of such a Being or are we expected to joyfully put in work for Him?
The work is His work. It is Christ living in us. The work is by His life, by His power, according to His will and guidance and by His grace.
Notice that Paul said it was the grace of God which was in him which caused him to labor more abundantly than all the apostles.
" ... the grace of God unto me did not turn out to be in vain, but, on the contrary, I labored more abundantly than all of them, yet not I but the grace of God which is with me." (1 Cor. 15:10)
He labored (worked) more abundantly than even the twelve apostles. Yet it was not due to him. The grace of God that was with him empowered him.
I would like you to compare that passage with another. The passage above says
"Not I, but the grace of God." While this next passage says in essence
"Not I but Christ".
" I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me ..." (See Galatians 2:20)
This is Christ living in Paul.
" For me to live is Christ ..." (Phil. 1:21) "When Christ our life is manifested ... " (Col. 3:4)
This is Christ laboring and working through Paul.
This is Paul living Christ.
This the work of God flowing from the indwelling Christ in Paul.
This is Paul living a mingled life incorporated with the resurrected Christ Who lives in Paul.
Paul lives and Paul works and Paul labors by FAITH in the indwelling Christ who is one with him.
" .. it is not longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God ..." (See Gal. 2:20-21)
When you read me write about the ENJOYMENT of God, that ENJOYMENT includes the Triune God working and laboring in the Christian. First we must learn to live in the sphere and realm of Christ. Then more and more of what we do will be by the grace of Christ living one with us.
In this experience Paul said that he did not render ineffective or vain the grace of God.
"I do not nullify the grace of God ..."
Edited by jaywill, : No reason given.
Edited by jaywill, : No reason given.
Edited by jaywill, : No reason given.
Edited by jaywill, : No reason given.