The Kingdom of God Is Furthered by Work

“My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” John 5:17.

God’s will is to make us His co-workers. If Satan can discourage a believer and make them passive, he is well on the way to making them an opposer of God’s work. A believer who works is the worst enemy of the powers of darkness. God’s work is a direct assault on the enemy’s army. Therefore, the first thing Satan tries to do is to prevent this work from taking place. If he succeeds in stopping it, he will then make his next move.

Some might ask: “How should I work? Who should I start with? Where should I travel? Who should send me?”

You should work with whatever is close at hand and begin with the people who cross your path. Everything will develop naturally. A worker who is willing and able to work is useful everywhere—and wherever they go, they work. They feel compelled to work. A person who has a strong desire to work will not wait for someone to send them. Their desire to work will drive them out.

The reason you wait for someone to send you is that you want to have someone to fall back on, both financially and in case you make mistakes. A worker who is driven by an inner desire does not need to be sent out by people. That is the perfect way. However, not everyone has that driving force within. Some need to be driven out in order to become active.

Paul speaks about himself: “But I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Cor. 15:10.

Far too many Christians are merely spectators. They are the ones who become carnal judges and critics. Those who work become more and more effective in their work. They discover better and more effective ways of working, so that they increase the talent they have been given as well as their assets and resources.

Some people have a false understanding. They say that we are to sit passively until God works in us to will and to do. God has been busy for years working in you “to will,” but you are not willing, and therefore this “to do” never gets done. God does not make us workers “without our consent.” If that were how He works, He might as well use sticks and stones. If He were to use me “without my consent,” then I would simply be a machine and would gain no fruit from it.

The goal of Satan’s work is to take away our will so that he can get hold of a body in which to dwell. God, on the other hand, seeks to strengthen our will so that it becomes triumphant over Satan in the flesh. This is the seed of the woman that is to crush the serpent’s head. Therefore, work as long as it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

The friends in Western Norway must work. Start with what lies at hand. Burden no one. In this way, you will shut out the deceitful workers. The fields are white for harvest. The friends in Southern and Eastern Norway must work; the lump must be thoroughly leavened. The best part of it is that God is working together with us.

Satan is actively working on all fronts, trying to paralyze people and make them passive. He turns huge numbers of people into religious spectators and critics. Our work—together with Christ—is to destroy the works of the devil by going on the offensive. The wicked and lazy worker hides their talent in the ground, but the willing servant is used often, precisely because they are willing.

Some people sit around for years waiting for God to lift them out of their slumber with a mighty rushing wind and drive them out into the work. This expectation comes from Satan. While you sit and wait, the work is already underway.

“My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” And we are His co-workers.

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2 Thess. 3:10.

First the natural, then the spiritual.