WORKERS TOGETHER WITH GOD.
By Irving E. Baker
It is a pleasant thought that we may know God, and walk by His side, and become intimately acquainted with Him and His wonderful works; and better still is the realization. Yet when we experience this we find that He has still more for us to accomplish—a work so honorable that we would not dare to even think we could do it if He had not told us so. We are apt to think, I would like to do something for the Lord, not realizing that it is our blessed privilege to work with Him. We think we must "work out" our "own salvation," not realizing that "it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good-pleasure." Phil. 2:12, 13. To make this plainer let us read 1 Cor. 3:9, "For we are laborers together with God." He honors us by keeping us company, and also lets us work with Him. He not only gives us the opportunity, and the strength to work with, but teaches us how and directs every step. So we go forward "as workers together with Him" (2 Cor. 6:1), having a part in His work and sharing His labors. We might illustrate how God works with us by a master workman, working with a steam-engine. As we see the amount of labor performed by the engine, we are apt to give it the credit for doing so much. But the engine by itself is but a mass of "dead metal," no better than any other piece of iron. It is the steam directed by the Master's hand that keeps it in motion; but before he can safely supply the steam, he must open the escape valves and let out the cold water, so that the steam can pass through. Then he turns on the power by opening the steam valve, and the machine begins to move, slowly at first, but increasing in speed and power as it is supplied with steam; and it keeps in motion as long as the power is supplied, and it is well cared for. So it is with us; before God can use us we must be emptied of self, our perverted human nature. Then the Spirit of God can come in and work through us. But the evil must be cast out before He can fill us or accomplish anything by our efforts. Now when the engine is started, it is connected with other machinery and spends its power in keeping it in motion, and doing a great amount of useful work. So with us; when the Spirit of God fills us, it is not to be used for ourselves alone, but through us it reaches out and connects with others, doing them good. Shall we then say, See what great things I have done? Christ says, "Without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5); and, altho the work is committed to human hands, God constantly supplies the power. And not only that but He made the instrument which uses the power. Who, then, has a better right or understanding as to the use of it than the great Master Workman? So, then, to work with Him we must be passive in His hands to receive the power, but active through His Spirit to do the work. Some engines have a greater capacity than others, but the same steam will run each engine to the full measure of capacity, whether great or small. But the one horse-power engine constantly at work will accomplish vastly more than the largest size separated from its source of power. Let us then work to the full measure of our capacity, ever receiving of the Spirit of God, and ever giving it out in doing good to others. "O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men." Ps. 107:8.