Our work or God’s work?

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Palmer Becker writes, “Mennonites tend to begin with the servant-nurturing side of God that we see in Jesus Christ.” Is it the work of God or our imitation of the work of God?

When I was born again, God revealed that any expression that was righteous in his sight had to find its origin in him, not in me. Every good work is to be a symptom, not a cause, of my relationship to God. I have no problem with ministers preaching from the epistles of Paul. Paul measured up quite well in his outward expressions toward other people.

However, he detested having to boast about himself to make his point. Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing” (nothing that is righteous). Do all Mennonites really believe they are God’s workmanship?

Our only escape from our self-centeredness and self-righteousness is Jesus Christ. Nothing less. Nothing more.

Associated Issue: Good preaching - Nov. 20, 2007

Associated Article: We can preach differently

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