p. 8 | Every Man His Work by George O. States

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 13, 1912

Every Man His Work

By George O. States

I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. John 9:4.

THESE verses show that Christ came to do His work, that He had a special work to do, and had a limited time in which to do His work.

That is true of every one of us. "For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work." Mark 13:34. None are excused. Every person who accepts the Gospel of Christ must have some part, some place to fill, in the Gospel work.

By carefully studying the work of the disciples, we see that that was their experience also. "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus." John 1:41, 42. The very first thing Andrew did was to bring his brother to Christ. The real spirit of Christ is the spirit of labor; and as we become more and more imbued with the spirit of Christ, we are filled with a desire to labor for the salvation of others. All have some part to act; for if we desire to labor, we shall find some place, some niche to fill.

There is only an allotted time in which to work. Our days and opportunities are fast passing. Soon the time to help our fellow men will be over. Our chance for doing good to others is fast closing.

It is not the great things we do, but the object with which we labor. It is not worldly honor, the applause of men, but to save souls. Just a word spoken at the right time in the right way may change the course of a life.

During the first series of tent meetings I ever held, over twenty-seven years ago, as I was speaking one night on the near coming of Christ, I noticed a young lady with whom I was slightly acquainted, much impressed. After the meeting, as I shook hands with her, I said, "Don't you think you ought to be a Christian, and prepare for the coming of Christ?" Tears came to her eyes, and she replied, "I wish I knew just how to take hold and live a Christian life." Not many months after, as we organized a church in that place, I had the privilege of burying her with others in baptism, and I believe I shall meet her in the kingdom when God's people are gathered.

In laboring for the salvation of souls, our motives may not be understood, our work may not be appreciated. We may meet with rebuffs that will be very discouraging. Christ was not appreciated. "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not." John 1:10. "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." John 15:19. We must not expect any easier time in laboring for souls than Christ had.

I believe that in this work, the Lord gives us all the success that is for our good. If we have any success in affecting the minds of those for whom we labor, we should be conscious that it is not what we say or do, but is the result of being connected with Christ. If we realize this, there will be no danger of our becoming self-sufficient.

The question with all who labor in Gospel work is how to succeed, how to win souls to Christ. The first and most important consideration is our example, our home life. Do our family, those with whom we daily associate, have confidence in us? In Paul's charge to Timothy he said, "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Tim. 4:12. Thus we see that laborers in Gospel work must have a good influence. Having this we shall be "ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15.

In laboring in Gospel work, there will be no use of attempting to do anything unless God's truth is in the heart. Having this we shall follow the instruction given: "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." 2 Tim. 2:24, 25. In laboring in that manner, there will be no danger of driving souls from Christ, for we shall realize that the man or woman who is out of Christ is under "the snare of Satan," and will instruct them in meekness, so as to recover them from his power.

In doing this, O, how much patience we need! In order to labor in this manner, we must have the spirit of Christ. I believe we could all profitably read Paul's counsel given to the elders of the church of Ephesus, as recorded in Acts 20:17-37.

It needs wisdom to labor acceptably in God's cause. "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." Dan. 12:3. "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied." Isa. 53:11. The joy of Christ was in seeing souls saved, and His joy will not be complete until the work of redemption is finished.

It will be the same with every one of us. "His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matt. 25:21.