Putting it into practice
So, now what?
In our studies so far, we tried to show how humanity's mandate to work finds its fulfilment in God's Christ-exalting work (Heb. 2:5-9). Having given Jesus Christ dominion over all things, God now calls Christians to forsake all earthly ambition in light of our new identities in Christ (Col. 3:1-17). Our God-given calling is not something we have to discover, it is what we already have if we trust in the hope of Jesus Christ. This is immensely practical because it provides a framework to assess not just our occupational work but any work we undertake. This is where we start to put things into practice.
Read Ephesians 4:1-13
4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace .4 There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all .7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Questions from Ephesians
How do we obey our calling according to this passage?
What issues could Paul be addressing when he wrote v.1-6 and do these issues exist today?
Paul draws a parallel (v.4-6) from the triune nature of God to our unity as Christian. How can a triune God reinforce our equality as Christians?
Why is there a “but” in verse 7? (hint: look closely at the logic between v.6 and 7)
What do all five gifts in v.11 have in common?
Define the “work of ministry” (v.12). Should you see yourself as being “in ministry” henceforth?
If you’re wondering about v.8-9
This is a quote from psalm 68 which is a call for God to triumph over His enemies and deliver His people. Paul quotes it in verse 8 and explains in v.9-10 that the Psalm refers to Jesus Christ, who through His death (the descending) and resurrection (the ascending) triumphed over God’s enemies and delivers His people. Having therefore won the Psalm 68 victory, Jesus proceeds to build up His Church through the different gifts (v.11). What this contributes to the argument is the tension between equal workers (v.1-6) having unequal ministries (v.7+). No one gift is better the other because Jesus is the one who has won the victory and because Jesus has won the victory He has the right to distribute gifts as He sees fit.
(If you didn’t quite get it yet don’t worry! All it means is that since Jesus is the one who died and rose again, He can do pretty much whatever it is He wants, including what gifts to give us)
Compare the following two sets of questions
Am I in the right job?
How can I best use my gifts for God?
Is it wrong to plan for retirement?
Am I doing my best to build up the body of Christ?
How am I denying myself and daily saying no to sin?
What would I be doing in 10,000 years time?
In conclusion
When we come to the Bible looking for answers, the questions that we ask shape the answer we find. For example, if we ask “Is becoming a pastor more godly than a musician?” then of course the answer is no. But what if we ask “should I buy the most expensive guitar I can afford, or should I give my money away?” is the answer the same? It might be disappointing to realise the Bible does not have much to say at all about our occupations. Rather overwhelmingly, the Bible tells us that God calls us to a higher calling than any mere earthly occupation. He calls us to be like His Son having adopted us into His family. So see your job as simply a means to help you in that journey until we all stand before Him on that final day. So whether you are a doctor or a postman, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.