Those Who Work with God

Recently, a civilizational tool called Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been bringing many changes to our daily lives. We often hear about the experiences of frequent AI users and the social issues caused by AI. As more and more occupations are being replaced by AI, many people are losing their jobs. Experts predict that the impact of AI will continue to grow, eventually leading to a reorganization of social structures. When we hear such news, we cannot help but wonder, “How will the future of humanity unfold?”

God has commanded us to pray for more workers to be sent into the harvest, saying, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Mt 9:37–38). Although we have entered an age in which machines are increasingly replacing human labor, God is still looking for those who will work with Him. Let us change our perspective and think this way: God has opened an era where we can fully devote ourselves to the work of the gospel of the new covenant, leaving minor tasks to machines. I hope that all of our heavenly family members in Zion will run harder toward the eternal kingdom of heaven that God will give us.

God has called us to be His fellow workers

God has placed us in various positions, such as the children of God and the people of heaven. We are called “God’s co-workers or fellow workers” in the gospel (1 Co 3:9).

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 Co 6:1

All the words in the 66 books of the Bible are gracious and touching, but especially when I read this verse, I feel a great sense of pride. Those who work with the president of their country feel proud wherever they go in the world, don’t they? And if we meet someone who works with the president of a large company, we would probably think that he must be a remarkable person. Thus, people in the world regard someone who simply works with such a person as great. However, we work together with God. Is there anyone greater than us, God’s co-workers, from the perspective of the spiritual world?

Let us learn from the Bible what kind of faith and determination we should have when we walk the path of the gospel as God’s co-workers.

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Jn 12:24–25

Jesus used the natural process of a grain of wheat as an analogy for His impending death, explaining how many followers of Christ would arise through the saints who had received the forgiveness of sins through His sacrifice. Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies and provides nutrients to the soil, it produces much fruit. When those who work together with God have this kind of sacrificial faith, the gospel of the new covenant will spread quickly to Samaria and even to the ends of the earth.

Like a kernel of wheat that falls to the ground

Each and every member of the early Church had that kind of mindset. They lived a life of sacrifice, like a kernel of wheat. Among them was the apostle Paul.

After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Ac 21:10–13

The apostle Paul was ready to die for the name of the Lord Jesus. Since he had such resolute faith, he bore much fruit, just as God had promised. Even when he was unjustly imprisoned for preaching Jesus, he did the amazing work of leading the jailer to repentance (Ac 16:16–34). We can fully imagine what kind of mindset he had toward the life of faith and the gospel.

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Ac 20:22–24

Some people were worried about Paul and tried to dissuade him, saying, “If you go to Jerusalem, you will face prison, hardships, and all kinds of dangers that are waiting for you.” However, Paul asserted that he would go anywhere without hesitation to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus had given him. As a result, wherever he went, he established a church, and God added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The saints of the early Church, including Paul, spread the gospel swiftly to many cities and regions under the rule of the Roman Empire, even at the risk of death. God was always with them.

Faith that longs for the invisible world

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us (Ro 15:4). Comparing what happens to a kernel of wheat when it remains only a single seed with what happens to it when it falls to the ground and dies, let us consider what kind of mindset and faith we should have as we live in the age of the Holy Spirit.

If we are bent on avoiding the ordeal of death, we will just remain like a single grain of wheat. However, if we are ready to face the risk of death with resolute faith, we will produce abundant fruit of the gospel. We need to look back at ourselves to see whether we have confidently faced our trials or have simply tried to avoid difficult situations.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. . . . For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Ro 8:18–25

The apostle Paul was ready to die, like a kernel of wheat falling to the ground, because he had such resolute faith. True hope is a desire for the invisible spiritual world, and our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Since he believed this, he was not afraid, even though imprisonment and hardships were awaiting him.

Paul was not the kind of person who would run away, no matter what hardships came. ”God has given me not only a mission but also a promise. He will surely fulfill His eternal promise to me.” With such absolute faith, he preached the gospel boldly wherever he went.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Co 4:16–18

In his letters to the churches in various regions, Paul consistently taught that “true hope is a desire for the invisible world, not the visible world. The invisible things of heaven are eternal. Let us endure and wait until we finally receive the kingdom of heaven we hope for.” We, too, must have this kind of faith. If a grain of wheat does not decay—unless it dies, it remains just a single grain and bears no fruit. If we still live for ourselves and try to stand out above others, continuously avoiding difficulties and failing to overcome challenging situations right in front of us, we can achieve nothing. During the time given to us, we should think about what to plant and make plans for it, as God’s co-workers.

Fulfill the mission of the new covenant workers with resolute determination

While living in this world, we need to faithfully carry out the duties and responsibilities given to us. Likewise, we must devote ourselves to the gospel mission entrusted to us. The saints of the early Church, including the apostle Paul, valued the invisible things of the eternal heavenly kingdom more than anything else and ran the race set before them. As a result, the gospel spread rapidly in Jerusalem and Judea, and throughout Asia Minor and even to Europe.

In those days there were no airplanes, nor were there any alternative transportation methods. People used wooden ships that moved only by the power of the wind. Can you imagine traveling around the world by wooden ship to preach the gospel? Despite such poor conditions, the apostles and saints of the early Church did not hesitate at all; they considered their lives worth nothing if only they might complete the mission of preaching the gospel to the world—the task Christ had given them. It was because they were convinced that they were co-workers with God.

Like them, we also have been called to be co-workers with God.

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Co 3:6

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mt 28:18–20

God has entrusted the mission of the gospel to us, His children, desiring us to become workers of the new covenant. This is not a mission given only to Paul and the saints of the early Church, but to all of us today.

Since God has given us the opportunity to live with faith like that of Paul, let us diligently strive to fulfill the gospel mission entrusted to each of us. When farmers finish the autumn harvest and complete the process of threshing, they can face the winter with peace of mind. However, if they keep putting off their work and fail to finish it before the winter comes, they will face a situation in which their hearts are so heavy and burdened.

There is nothing we cannot do if we are determined and ready even to die, like Paul and the saints of the early Church. Wherever you are, I hope you will help all people around the world return to the arms of God and receive salvation by proclaiming the New Jerusalem our Heavenly Mother and the truth of the new covenant to them, as workers of the gospel.

God helps those who work with Him

We can discover God’s providence through natural objects like trees, too. Deeply rooted in the soil, trees withstand the scorching sun of midsummer and the raging storms. If they were to escape all such trials, they would never bear flowers or fruit. It is the destiny of a tree to silently endure everything in its own place.

The same goes for us. We should not just try to avoid difficult situations but withstand them, praying to God with a determination to quickly preach the good news of heaven to people. When we take our steps with such a strong commitment, the situation will be completely different from when we just move aimlessly. God sees our hearts and changes all our circumstances for the better.

We must identify ourselves as “co-workers with God.” No matter what our positions and circumstances are, let us do our best to perform the work of God, to the extent that if someone asks us, “What kind of person are you?” we can answer without hesitation, “We are God’s co-workers!” I hope that all of you, God’s people, will bear beautiful flowers and good fruit in the end, withstanding the storms instead of just living comfortably in our own nest.

I know that each of you faces many challenges and difficult situations. However, the apostle Paul did not avoid any difficulties or hardships, but overcame them. So, God blessed him greatly. God is with us in all our trials and temptations. He does not just stay with us, but helps us, opening the way for us to prosper.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Isa 41:10–14

Was there anything impossible with God’s help in the history of the forefathers of faith? God delivered the Israelites overnight from Egypt, where they had been slaves for over 400 years. That was a miracle which no one could ever imagine. It was also God who parted the Red Sea that stood in their way and made a path through the sea.

Even at this moment, God is helping those who work with Him. I earnestly ask all of you, our heavenly family members in Zion, to become God’s co-workers for the new covenant and to shine the light of the gospel throughout the whole world, leaving no place unreached.