How are we as Christians going to grow in personal holiness? Does it happen when we work really hard? Are we simply supposed to trust God to make us grow? The answer is, "yes."
We must remember that it is not simply our personal effort alone that will make us like Christ. It is God’s work in us that changes us. Of course that does not mean that we do not have to work. Some Christians think we should not work, but do not let them deceive you. The New Testament is filled with commands and exhortations. Constantly the biblical writers are calling us to do certain things and think certain things. We have personal responsibilities, and we are held responsible for how we work to carry them out. This is the important balance to maintain in the Christian life. We must work hard to please God, but all the while we must depend on Him to work in us and through us. It is "God-dependent work." As we study the Scriptures, we should determine to do those things that are pleasing to Him, but we should remember our dependence on God and discuss all our plans with God and call on Him for strength.
Just a Simple Farmer
A farmer who works hard plowing his field, sowing seed, watering, and pulling weeds should remember that it is actually God that causes a crop to be produced. Only God can cause a carrot to grow. A farmer may in his arrogance brag about the crops that he can produce, but in actuality God should get all the glory for the work that only He (God) can do.
Imagine this absurd conversation between a farmer and his wife:
The farmer says to his wife, “Honey, look at this carrot!”
“Wow, that is great! We have so much to be thankful for. God as blessed us sooo much,” She replies.
In great anger and disappointment he says, “What do you mean? God had nothing to do with it! What did you think I was doing out there every day for months?! I was working. I grew this carrot. These crops are my creation!”
We are each just like a simple farmer. It is absurd for us as Christians to take credit for our own growth in Christlikeness because we know that only God can cause the growth. He should be getting all the glory. If we find ourselves not recognizing and praising God for His work in us we need to repent of our own arrogance. We should acknowledge our total dependence on God by giving Him all the credit for the progress that is made.
While it would be foolish for a farmer to take all the credit for his crops, yet it would be just as foolish for him to stop his hard work because He knows that only God can produce the crops. Imagine that farmer talking with his wife.
“Honey, I’m looking out the window, but I just don’t see anything happening. Didn’t that preacher say that God would give us our crops? Well, it’s been 4 months now, and nothing has happened! I knew he didn’t know what he was talking about.”
The farmer would be foolish to think that he didn’t have to work just because he knew that God would produce the crops. The farmer needs to understand that he does have to do something if he wants to see a crop. However, he should remember that it is God that actually causes the growth. The farmer should find great hope in the fact that God is his Provider. If he did not think that God would produce a crop, then he would not even begin to plant. His work should be an expression of his trust in God.
As Christians we should remember that God does tell us to do things. He gives us responsibilities. He tells us to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness. We are being disobedient to God if we do not work. In fact, our work is an expression of our faith and trust in God. Many Christians neglect their God-given responsibilities to read the Bible, pray, make plans, etc. because they are waiting for the Holy Spirit to “zap” them, making them jump to the next level in holiness.[1] He never promises to do that. To count on that this side of heaven is unscriptural at best.
[1] This is not a statement about what God is able to do. Some people are offended when they hear it said that we should not expect God to work in a certain way. Know this - God is able to make someone perfectly holy instantaneously. In fact, He will do that at His return (1 John 3.2). But, He does not tell us to expect a holy “zap” until then. So for now, get busy! “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” instead of presuming upon God’s grace.
