Workers with God by J. O. CORLISS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 4, 1916

Workers with God

By J. O. CORLISS

J. O. CORLISS

WERE one asked to take work in conjunction with another who exerted a wide influence, say some one high in governmental position, such a proposition would doubtless be considered a highly pleasing one. Then the thought of entering upon the same line of work as the one is doing with whom the association is to be formed, could not fail to be strongly fascinating. The higher the source of the calling, the more ennobling would be the privilege, and the more gratifying the prospect, to spur with anxiety to early acceptance of the summons.

Every believer in the inspiration of the Bible, especially if he has turned from sin to the Saviour, is assured that he is called to be a laborer together with God. 1 Cor. 3:9. The American Revised Version puts the matter of this text a little nearer the underlying thought. It affirms that we are “God’s fellow workers.” The point of excellence in the revised text is that one is a “fellow worker,” an associate, or company worker with Jehovah, rather than a mere laborer; for there is quite a difference in meaning between the two words as used in Scripture. Many texts might be cited in evidence of this, but the Saviour’s great call to service quite clearly reveals the thought. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. That is to say, Come to me, and you will cease to be surcharged with burdensome, wearying labor. But he immediately adds the invitation, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; . . . and ye shall find rest.”

The fact is that man was given work, right at his creation, which was simply a delight, because it was along lines marked out by Heaven. Labor came only when sin had brought a curse upon the earth. The word “labor” originally meant blows and pain bearing, even to tearful outcry. Gen. 3:16-19. That which had before been pleasant work now became painful drudgery.

But it must be evident to every one that the creative power which could speak a fully organized world into existence, could as well have filled it with righteous beings by the “breath of his mouth,” as to have made but one man. But the infinite Creator did not choose so to do. One man alone was made, just in the form and according to the image Jehovah chose. In fact, he was made entirely like the Creator (Gen. 1:26), and so was fitted to be called the son of God. Luke 3:38. In this act heaven and earth were united; and man, made lower than the angels for a brief time (Heb. 2:7), or until his probation demonstrated his loyalty to God, was intended to carry out the divine mind in the purpose of creation.

The woman, fitted for the purpose of being man’s helper, was taken out of this created son of God, and the word was given, “Multiply,” that is, make yourselves many, and fill up the earth. Gen. 1:28. In the carrying out of this commission, man was made a partner in God’s design, therefore a fellow worker with him.

The first Adam signally failed fully to work with God, and chose his own course of procedure, therefore another, a second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45), became necessary for the fulfilment of God’s purpose. He too must be like God, and yet for a time be “a little lower than the angels,” that by death he might rescue the victims of the first Adam’s failure.

The second Adam calls men again to assume partnership with God; and as the divine life was at first breathed into a dead form to constitute it a living soul, so now the same Spirit quickens those who are dead in trespasses and sins, and he then says to them, Multiply, that the purpose of God may be realized in filling the earth with “sons of God.” 1 John 3:1, 2. In other words, those who have been quickened by the Spirit, must carry the gospel of God’s original kingdom to all the world, giving all who will the opportunity to link themselves in loyalty to that government, when the purpose of God to fill the earth with those of his own kind shall be completed, and the Master shall come to make joint heirs with himself all who have been found fellow workers with his eternal purpose. Rom. 8:14-17.

This is the work to which all are now called, with the promise that God himself will be in them, both to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Phil. 2:13. As the time draws near for the close of such work, the more energetically will the people be expected to cooperate with the infinite plan set in operation at the beginning. Of those living amid the closing scenes the question is asked, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant” to give proper nourishment due to the world in that fixed and definite time? Upon such he pronounces an eternal blessing at his coming. Matt. 24:44-47.

This world-wide appeal for the quick giving of the light of truth should cause all to shake themselves clear from self-gratification, and to give generously of what the Lord has graciously bestowed, to hurrying onward the purpose of God. Why may not the weekly offering of each toward this attest to a personal appreciation of the situation, and thus all become “God’s fellow workers”?

Glendale, Cal.