Dear friends,
In our previous article on work we noticed that it has become our defining feature and an end in itself rather than a way of glorifying God. Indeed, work has become a mode for self-gratification rather than a reflection of God’s nature and part of our purpose. It consumes us, defines us and breaks us – but we cannot let it go.
We asked, is there anyone or anything that can help us redeem work and find life?
Indeed there is!
With the coming into the world of Jesus Christ, we have the arrival of the one through whom, by whom and for whom the created order has been made; he is “the heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2). This whole world in which we work is his and made for him. He is the only one, given our corruption by sin, who is able to work and rule over this world. Moreover, he is this world’s king!
This changes the way we ought to see work. Our work and (almost) all work, by its very nature of bringing order and life to the world, gives glory to Jesus. There is of course “work” that promotes godlessness and embraces sin that brings disorder and chaos – such things ought not be the domain of Christians and as such we should strive to eradicate them. Examples might be slavery, prostitution or work promoting injustice. We may not feel it, but recognising the arrival of the King changes the value of our work – you don’t just work for the man; you work for the Son of Man! (Colossians 2:23-24)
And yet, there is a greater work we must do! Our greatest and yet most basic work is exercised in our obedience to God’s word, and our doing of those “good works” which he has prepared for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:8-10). This shapes the work we do in the world, giving it clarity and emphasising the manner in which we work and the priority of what matters. It helps us see people as of greater importance than wealth making or creation protecting.
The vanity and foolishness of human existence in this world is set to pass away, including all those who attach themselves to the things of this world that they fail to look for things eternal. For this reason it is most important to challenge any idolisation of human professional life in the name of the gospel, whether the problem is one of greed or a more subtle form of worldliness. But work in itself is not to be despised; our whole approach to it is transformed. What matters most is not what the work is, but the way the work is done and whose glory is pursued through it. Work is one of the chief arenas in which we exhibit our obedience to Christ.
And yet one question remains, is Gospel work, actually telling people the Gospel and helping people grow as Christians, therefore the best and most important work in the world?
Find out next week!
In Christ
Nigel