Ephesians 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.”
In God’s kingdom what we do and how we perform doesn’t define us. Instead, Christ liberates us to work hard at our jobs, striving and giving our best in order to produce results, but without losing our true identity in the blind pursuit of achievement.
When we are secure in Christ, the fear factor and image factor are eliminated. This releases us to work with even greater focus and effort, because now our motive is not ego, self-promotion, or approval. Instead, our motive is to serve God and others. The Lord did not design us to derive our identity from our job; rather, he designed us to express our identity through our job.
Here again is Colossians 3.23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
The literal translation of “work heartily” is “do your work from the soul.” The Lord wants us to work from the soul within us that he has redeemed and regenerated through his transforming presence and power. He wants us to live and work with diligence, passion, and a deep, soul-driven commitment to excellence.
The faithful Christian understands that abiding in Christ is the only pathway to a fruitful and productive life. Jesus said to his disciples:
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15.4-6)
The faithful Christian also understands that we are called to do work and be productive. Jesus also said this to the disciples:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14.12)
Do results matter? Absolutely! We are called to work hard to produce results. That is the way God has designed the universe to function (remember: God himself labored and worked to create the world). Working for results is a reality and necessary in the world that God created.
Should we be disappointed when desired results are not produced? Absolutely! God’s design is not for us to be indifferent or apathetic toward achievement. If results matter (and they do), disappointment is a natural consequence of failing to achieve. Even a cursory reading of scripture reveals many instances when God is disappointed—at times even angry—when desired results are not produced / achieved.
But there is a huge difference between Spirit-directed disappointment and self-directed disappointment. The first leads to wisdom and growth; the latter to frustration, discouragement, and self-pity.
However, there is a fine line. Do results matter? Absolutely! We are called to work hard to produce results. That is the way God has designed the universe to function (remember: God himself labored and worked to create the world). Working for results is a reality and necessary in every sphere of life.
God cares deeply about what you do, how you do it, and why you do it. Indeed, he calls you to excellence. Trust Him and do the work.
