Both to WILL and to DO
There is a verse that we quote many times that needs to be investigated thoroughly because it reflects HOW God works with us.
As recipients of the most profound gift known to man – holy spirit with all nine manifestations, there is also a responsibility that goes with it. God is so awesome to call us to His family and provide us with eternal life and the gift of holy spirit. Along with this calling comes a most privileged responsibility, using this gift in the family business.
Yes, we are ambassadors for Christ and given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). We now have the opportunity to use it to bring the lost to Christ and minister to those in the family of God.
How does God work with us to accomplish this?
Philippians 2:13: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
God works with us two ways to do His good pleasure.
- To Will:Thelō in the Greek, meaning, to will, desire. Thayer defines it further: “To be resolved with a purpose; have a mind to do.”
As we fellowship with our Father, He will encourage you, He will nudge you; He wants you be filled with a resolve to do His purpose.
Are we listening for His influence, His nudge to do His good pleasure? Let’s go to Him excited to be His ambassadors knowing He will fill us with His desire to do the work of the ministry!
- To Do: Energeō in the Greek, meaning, to effectively do or be energized. Thayer defines it further: “To put forth power, to be at work.”
We have the honorable privilege to work in the Family business of bringing lost souls to Christ. As His ambassadors He will tell us what we can do and how to put forth the power of the holy spirit to minister to the lost and to our fellow saints.
We get to delight in God’s good pleasure by working with Him. He so desires for us to experience His abundant goodness. May we act on His desire to both will and do of His good pleasure!
Agape, Bob