HE WORKETH THE WORK OF THE LORD

HE WORKETH THE WORK OF THE LORD

The title of this article comes from 1 Corinthians 16:10. In that verse we read these words that the apostle Paul wrote about his son in the faith, Timothy: "Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh [‘does,’ NKJV] the work of the Lord, as I also do" (1 Corinthians 16:10). From this passage, as well as others in the New Testament, what do we learn about Timothy as a worker?

1. As a worker, Timothy did the Lord’s work, not Satan’s. Satan has his "ministers" (2 Corinthians 11:15), known as "children of the devil" (1 John 3:10; Acts 13:10). Timothy was not one of them, as he faithfully worked for the Lord. God’s charge to all Christians is, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

2. As a worker, Timothy did more than talk about and plan to work – he actually did it. It is great to pray for more workers (Matthew 9:37,38). It is wonderful to devise a plan to use in carrying out a work (Nehemiah 2:5-8). It is encouraging when children of God agree that they need to work for Him (Nehemiah 2:17,18). It is tremendous when people even volunteer to work (Isaiah 6:8). And, it is uplifting when God’s people unite their voices to exhort one another as they sing, "I Want to Be a Worker for the Lord." However, Timothy went beyond praying, planning, talking, volunteering, and singing. He actually worked! Can the Lord count on you and me to do the same?

3. As a worker, Timothy chose to work – no one forced him into it. By the Spirit, Paul exhorted Timothy to work, and even laid out what that work would entail (2 Timothy 4:2,5). But, service in the Lord’s army is voluntary (2 Timothy 2:3). Timothy would have to exercise his own free will and choose to work. No one could make that choice for him. Thank God that Timothy chose to work in the Lord’s Cause, and thank God that we have his example recorded in the Bible to encourage us.

4. As a worker, Timothy had a good role model – the apostle Paul. Remember that our text records that Paul wrote, ". . . for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do" (1 Corinthians 16:10). Timothy was not the only good worker with whom the church in Corinth was familiar: Paul was a diligent laborer as well. Since it is true that the Lord "will render to every man according to his deeds" (Romans 2:6), then we understand that each of us has a personal responsibility to serve the Master. However, along life’s way we can receive a big boost when our brothers and sisters in the Lord set a good example before us. Most of us could name a number of saints that have been a blessing to us and have demonstrated in their lives just what a Christian should be. Timothy was richly blessed to be able to work and travel with Paul, seeing firsthand his pattern of life. Paul once told him, "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience" (2 Timothy 3:10). Do not forget that once Timothy learned the truth, then he, too, was obligated to be a good example for others to imitate (1 Timothy 4:12). Would that not be true for us as well?

5. As a worker, Timothy had been trained to work. He did not start working by accident. As we just noted, he had Paul as a role model to show him how to work. Paul also took Timothy with him on his working trips, giving Timothy firsthand experience along the way (Acts 16:1-4; 17:14,15). In addition, Paul had trained him by imparting instruction to him. "And the things that thou hast heard of me amongmany witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2). We need willing workers in the kingdom today. But just as importantly, every congregation needs to be working to train its willing work force to be more effectiveworkers.

6. As a worker, Timothy worked faithfully, regardless of where he was or who was (or was not) working beside him and watching him. At the time Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, he had sent Timothy to Corinth, describing him to the brethren there as "faithful in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 4:17). In fact, we often read in the New Testament about Paul sending Timothy on different missions or having him stay in a particular place to carry on the work (Acts 19:22; Philippians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:1,2; 1 Timothy 1:3). Does that not indicate that Paul had great confidence in Timothy, both in his faithfulness and reliability, as well as in his effectiveness in the work?

On one occasion Paul wrote to Timothy and expressed his desire to come see him soon, but if that did not work out as Paul desired, then what should Timothy do? He should keep on walking and working faithfully in the Lord’s house, the church (1 Timothy 3:14,15). Twice in the same epistle, Paul exhorted brethren in Philippi to keep on being faithful, as he said it, ". . . that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27; cf. 2:12). Brethren, our faithfulness to the Lord and commitment to work for Him should have nothing to do with who is around us and watching over our shoulder, so to speak. We must work for the Master, regardless of where we live and without regard to who may or may not be there to encourage us in the work.

To say that Timothy did the work of the Lord – it is such a simple statement. Yet, it really says it all, does it not? If our brothers or sisters in the Lord were asked to describe you and me, could they honestly say that we, like Timothy, do the Lord’s work? Better yet, if the Lord were to carve our gravestone, would He be able to say, "Here lies the body of a person that did my work?" It is something to think about.

-- Roger D. Campbell