How Should We Work?

The purpose of all spiritual work is to save people: first from bondage to sin, then from bondage to the law and to people, and finally from themselves.

God has established a new covenant with mankind, and this covenant is in the blood of Christ. 1 Cor. 11:25. This blood saves us from sin, from bondage to the law, from bondage to people, and from our own self-life.

God’s Spirit works in a person to set them free from these things. As a co-worker with God, as servants of the Spirit—not of the letter—and as ministers of a new covenant, we need to know how we should work. At each meeting a work should be accomplished. We don’t have meetings just for the sake of having meetings. We meet in order to urge souls toward the blood of the covenant, toward more godly fear, and toward freedom from everything that binds them. There are plenty of priests who serve the people. Their main task is to hold meetings just for the sake of holding meetings. That is not our task. We are to shine light on the old man, make sure that it is crucified with Christ, and cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We are to release the captives and set free those who are oppressed.

We have often seen people weep after receiving severe treatment, but we have also had the joy of seeing those same people rejoice exceedingly after they have been set free. When a person goes to the doctor, they cannot advise the doctor how they should be treated. Neither can anyone dictate to a servant of the Spirit how that servant should treat them. Neither should a servant of the Spirit allow themself to be directed by someone who is bound hand and foot. Such a servant must make up their own mind and then act accordingly. It is impossible to read and study your way into the kingdom of heaven, and it is just as impossible to liberate a bound human spirit through studying. A person who is themself bound cannot free another person from their bonds.

Anyone who speaks in the church must speak as the oracles of God; all speaking about God’s word is of little profit to those who are listening. Talking about using the sword is one thing, but using the sword is something entirely different. We do not have a new doctrine to “tell” people about. Instead, we must give them the word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword. If it is received, it works effectively in those who believe. Any teaching can be received by people using their human understanding, and it is quite satisfying to teach people things they have never heard before. However, we have seen the results of that; those who have received the doctrines in this way remain just as carnal as ever, and those who have taught in such a way have either been blind or unfaithful to the Spirit. However, what does Paul say?

“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Cor. 2:4-5.

We need God’s power if we are to clear out all of the idols and graven images from our hearts. We must not be afraid to go to action and break up the ground in order to lay a solid foundation. The apostle says, “As a wise master builder I have laid the foundation.” It quickly becomes apparent whether a solid foundation has been laid. Such people are not quickly shaken, and they won’t run away. When people feel sorry for themselves and cry because they have not been spared, we must not take heed to such tears. The wisdom and power of God are more precious to us.

Jeremiah was set over the people and over the kingdoms in order to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant. Jer. 1:10.

There is no point in sowing on a hard-packed gravel road or in a forest. Things must be rooted out and pulled down, plowed and tilled, before seed can be sown. People certainly do not like to be rooted out and pulled down. However, once they have gone through the process, they learn to appreciate this treatment, because the seeds that are then sown in cultivated ground—in a noble and good heart—will grow.