The Divine-Human Combination
What is your greatest accomplishment ever? Chances are, whatever
you achieved did not happen simply by rolling out of bed in the morn-
ing. If we want to achieve something worthwhile in this life, it takes
time and effort. Our discipleship to Christ is no different.
Read Colossians 1:28, 29. Though Paul talks about God working in
him, in what ways does he show the human effort also involved?
(See also Deut. 4:4, Luke 13:24, 1 Cor. 9:25, and Heb. 12:4.)
In Colossians 1:29, there is a very interesting insight into the way
Paul sees his relationship with God in this work. He says that he is
struggling—but with the power of God.
The Greek word translated “labor” means to “grow weary,” to “work
to the point of exhaustion.” This word was used particularly of athletes
as they trained. The word for “struggle,” which comes next, can mean
in some languages “to agonize.” So, we have the word picture of an
athlete straining with everything to win. But then Paul adds a twist to
the idea, because Paul is straining, not with everything he has, but with
everything that God gives him. So, we are left with a simple conclusion
about Paul’s ministry—it was a ministry done with great personal effort
and discipline but done with God’s power. This relationship works in
exactly the same way as we pursue the development of Christ’s char-
acter in us.
This is important to remember, because we live in a world in which
we want more and more with less and less effort. That idea has crept
into Christianity, too. Some Christian evangelists promise that if you
just believe, the Holy Spirit will fall upon you with amazing super-
natural power and perform great miracles. But this can be a dangerous
half-truth, because it can lead people to the conclusion that we just
need to wait for God’s power to come while sitting comfortably in
our seats!
What is your own experience with the kind of striving Paul talked
about? What things has God laid upon your heart that you are
struggling with? How can you learn to surrender to God’s will?
