For of Him, by Him and for Him

Romans 11:36 says: "For of him, through him and for him are all things". Colossians 1: "For in him all things were created ... all things were created through him and for him". What is said of God in Romans is also said of the Lord Jesus Christ in Colossians, because, evidently, he is God. Revelation reinforces the same when it says: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord" (1:8). Alpha was the first letter of the Greek alphabet, while Omega was the last. Everything had its beginning in him, and everything has its end in him.

But this is not only so in the work of creation; it is also so in the present work of God. Everything must have its beginning in him, so that he may acknowledge it as his own. Likewise, everything must be for him, so that it may have the right motivation. That which arises from man does not proceed from him who is Alpha; that which glorifies man does not have as its end him who is Omega.

There are many things that we do for God that originate in us. Undoubtedly, they will not have God as their end. One of the most difficult things for a servant of God is to wait on God without doing anything for himself. In that waiting, many things will arise in his mind that will demand its realization. It will take, then, a firm will to wait until God begins something, and then follow him in his work. The prophets and teachers of Antioch did nothing but minister to the Lord. And they waited until He took the initiative; then they were able to collaborate with God in His work (Acts 13).

That which begins in God is sure; so that God's servants can participate in it with absolute confidence and certainty. It will not fade with time, nor will it be unfruitful. But that which begins in God will not bring glory to man. It will be "for him".

But there is something more. Not only the beginning and the end, but also the means - the way of doing - and the resources to do God's work, must be his. In doing God's work, we must also deny the natural source, the resources of man. Christ is the origin, the means and the end of all God's work. To recognize whether a work is of God or not, we can ask ourselves, then, what was the origin of such a thing, what are the resources used for its realization, and what is the end of it, the for what, or for whom.

If our work does not resist this analysis, then its origin is doubtful, its quality despicable, and its end petty. How convenient it is for us to wait on God, until our creativity and strength are exhausted, and until our motivations are purified! Everything must come from him, be through him and for him!

Design downloaded from free website templates.