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Chapter 27 - Works of the Eternal Church |
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The renovation of the earth was merely the initiation of God’s eternal plan to vindicate His nature and repopulate His kingdom. It would not be fully satisfied until the end of time.
By the advent of the Church Age, the vindication of the divine nature and the repopulation of the divine kingdom continued to remain unfinished. According to eternal plan, however, the works of the New Testament church would profoundly advance the cause. Designed to contribute to the vindication of the nature of God and the repopulation of His kingdom, the distinct works of the New Testament church were far too important to be left to the will and work of finite human beings. Thus, while mankind is privileged to cooperate, the works of the ecclesia are divine rather than human, eternal rather than temporal, and living (zoe) rather than dead. Divine rather than Human The distinct works of the New Testament church do not originate from the purpose and plans of finite man. Instead, they were established before the foundation of the world when the infinite God prepared a path of good works He would accomplish in the fullness of time through His ecclesia (Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; Hebrews 4: 3b). Thus, the works of the distinct church of the New Testament are divine rather than human in origin. Eternal rather than Temporal Prepared beforehand in eternity, the distinct works of the New Testament church are eternal. Their influence and reward on earth are “perpetual; without beginning or end.” It never ceases. |
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Living rather than Dead
The divinely originated, eternal works of the New Testament church are living (zoe) rather than dead. They are not accomplished by the ecclesia indwelt but by the living (zoe) God who indwells. He is the source of their fulfillment on earth. The New Testament church is the shared life instrument through which God has chosen to work on earth during this present age. Concordant with grace, the church cooperates by faith alone. The author of Hebrews clarifies that human beings are capable of performing “dead works.” He twice refers to the dead works of man, indicating that they are something from which the guilty should seek repentance (Hebrews 6:1; 9:14). Unsolicited by God, dead works are performed by man for God through means of human will and effort alone. Thus, a union of life with God and cooperative faith are not necessary for their fulfillment. Although not often recognized, the underlying motive for the performance of dead works is the belief that man is capable of earning divine favor through self-effort. From the beginning, however, the Bible is replete with evidence that man is utterly corrupt before God and does not possess the capacity to earn divine favor through works of self-effort (Genesis 4:1-8; Hebrews 11:4). It is the very reason the Bible distinguishes between dead works and living works. Living (zoe) works can be contrasted with dead works as follows: |
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Perfect Example
The incarnate Christ provided the perfect example of living (zoe) works. Through faith alone, He lived in absolute dependence on the indwelling life (zoe) of His Father (John 5:26-27). Consequently, the heavenly life (zoe) of the Father was expressed through Him on earth. Thus, it was manifested by living (zoe) works. The faithful, dependent cooperation of the incarnate Christ was evidenced by His frequent, intentional practice of intimate, prayerful fellowship with His indwelling Father (Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:28; John 17:1-26). It was how the Son learned the will of the Father and demonstrated submission to His authority on earth (John 5:30; 6:38; 7:16; 12:49; 14:10-11; 24). New Testament Church Works During this present age, the body of Christ was predetermined to cooperate with God in the manner demonstrated by its incarnate head, Jesus Christ. Cooperating by faith alone, it serves as the instrument through which divine life (zoe) flows to earth like “rivers of living water” (John 7:38-39). The outcome is the divine fulfillment of eternal, living (zoe) works on earth. |
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By the Spirit
Originating from the heavenly Father through the finished work of the Son, living (zoe) works are not fulfilled on earth by the New Testament church, but by the Spirit of God who indwells the church (cf. Luke 4:1; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16; 25; Ephesians 5:18). In cooperation, the ecclesia is commanded to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). The Greek word translated “walk” is peripateo. It literally means to “walk-around.” However, the context of usage reveals that it is sometimes used in the New Testament in reference to the “walk of life” (cf. Romans 6:4; 8:4; 1 Corinthians 3:3; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 2:2; 10; Philippians 3:17-18; Colossians 3:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 John 1:6-7; 2:11; 2 John 6; Revelation 21:24). Therefore, as dictated by the context of usage, it can be descriptive of God’s indwelling life (zoe) manifested in the ecclesia by His Spirit. Thus, the Apostle Paul’s command to “walk by the Spirit” is indicative of a consistent choice to “follow” or keep “in step” with the nature of the new, indwelling life (zoe) of God in Christ rather than according to the old, fallen nature of life. Keeping “in step” with the indwelling Spirit of Christ is facilitated by walking in the fullness of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul commanded the ecclesia in ancient Ephesus to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; cf. Luke 1:15). The verb pleeroústhe (be filled) is used in the present imperative and, therefore, means to be constantly filled to the point of overflowing with the fullness of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. Walking in the fullness of the Spirit is evidenced by the manifestation and overflowing fruit of the Spirit. The manifestation of the Spirit is recognized by spiritually gifted ministry, spiritual fellowship, participatory worship in song, abundant thanksgiving, and mutual submission (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 5:19-21; cf. 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1). In addition, “….the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Rather than fleshly effort, the divine, eternal, living (zoe) works of the New Testament church are satisfied “by the Spirit.” They are the fruitful overflow of His manifestation:
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Overflow
As indicated, the New Testament church serves as an instrument through which the works of God flow to earth like “rivers of living water” (John 7:38-39). In the Gospel of John, “living water” is analogous to eternal life (zoe) (John 4:10, 14). Jesus said, “…whoever drinks of the [living (zoe)] water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life (zoe)” (vs. 14). The indwelling life (zoe) of God is the source of “living water” and, therefore, living works on earth. Jesus later clarified, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38). The Apostle John clarified, “…this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:39). By grace alone, the New Testament church was designed to serve as the means through which God’s life (zoe) could flow from heaven to earth during the Church Age. By the fullness of the indwelling Spirit, the progression of divine life (zoe) from God through the believer is like a “well of water springing up to eternal life (zoe).” By the fullness of the Spirit, it flows from his “innermost being” like “rivers of living (zoe) water.” God is the source of the flow of eternal life (zoe) to earth. During this present age, the New Testament church is the instrument through which His life (zoe) flows to earth “like rivers of living (zoe) water.” The fulfillment of the fundamental purpose of the New Testament church, the practice of intimate fellowship with God, serves as the means through which the eternal life of God flows from heaven to earth. The fruit of faithful, intimate, Spirit-filled fellowship with God is the movement and consequent overflow of His life (zoe) on earth. Occurring by grace alone, it allows for an amazing demonstration of His attributes on earth, including but not limited to selfless love, unfailing mercy, and absolute justice. It is the means God has chosen to vindicate His nature and accomplish His will on earth during this present age. In Romans 12:1, the Apostle Paul exhorted the ecclesia to “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.” The Greek word translated “present” is paristemi (par-is'-tay-mee). It means to “make available.”[1] The specific manner in which Paul uses the word is indicative of a recurrent presentation, not only of the body (soma (so'-mah)) but the whole person. It is inclusive of the totality of life and activity. Despite its technical language, Romans 12:1 is first and foremost an exhortation for the church to practice fellowship with God. By grace through faith alone, intimate fellowship with God provides the New Testament church with the utter privilege of cooperating with God. The resultant fruit is the glorious experience of eternal life (zoe), abundant and overflowing (Romans 12:2-21). While the benefit of intimate fellowship with God is immeasurable, the Apostle Paul provided some examples of its gracious outcome. He clarified that it leads to the renewal of the mind, illumination regarding the will of God, and awareness of spiritual giftedness (Romans 12:2-8). The living (zoe) overflow of privileged fellowship with the living (zoe) God is the ministry of life (zoe) both within the ecclesia (Romans 12:9-13) and the outside community (Romans 12:14-21). |
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Each member of the New Testament church on earth serves as the means through which the treasured eternal life (zoe) of God overflows for the blessing and benefit of others (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:7). Congruent with the divine ministry of overflowing life (zoe), the ecclesia is the instrument during this present age for the proclamation of the Gospel, the release of captives, the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the oppressed are set free, and the dead are raised (cf. Matthew 11:5; Luke 4:18).
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Eternal Purpose
The divine, eternal, living (zoe) works of the New Testament church were predetermined before the foundation of the world to fulfill an eternal purpose. They contribute to the repopulation of the kingdom of God and the vindication of His nature. The distinct church of the New Testament is privileged to cooperate by grace through faith alone. © 2018 James Hiatt |
