Topical Bible: God Working Through You

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The concept of God working through individuals is a central theme in the Bible, illustrating how divine purpose and human action intersect to fulfill God's will. This theme is evident throughout both the Old and New Testaments, where God empowers, guides, and uses people to accomplish His plans.

Old Testament Examples

In the Old Testament, God often worked through chosen individuals to lead His people and reveal His will. One prominent example is Moses, whom God called to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. In Exodus 3:10, God says to Moses, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." Despite Moses' initial reluctance, God equipped him with signs and wonders to perform before Pharaoh, demonstrating that it was God working through him.

Another example is found in the account of Joseph. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rose to a position of power in Egypt. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph acknowledges God's hand in his life, saying, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people." Here, Joseph recognizes that God worked through his circumstances to bring about a greater good.

New Testament Examples

In the New Testament, the theme of God working through individuals is further developed, particularly through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the early church. Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of God working through a human life. In John 14:10, Jesus says, "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works."

The apostles also serve as examples of God working through individuals. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The book of Acts records numerous instances where the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, perform miracles, preach the gospel, and establish the early church.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in God working through believers. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." Here, Paul emphasizes that the Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to believers, enabling them to serve and edify the body of Christ.

Living as Instruments of God's Work

Believers are called to be instruments of God's work in the world. In Ephesians 2:10, Paul states, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." This verse highlights that believers are created for a purpose, to perform good works that God has already prepared.

Furthermore, in Philippians 2:13, Paul encourages believers by saying, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." This assurance reminds Christians that it is God who empowers and motivates them to fulfill His purposes.

Conclusion

The Bible consistently teaches that God works through individuals to accomplish His divine purposes. From the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament to the apostles and believers in the New Testament, God empowers His people through His Spirit, equipping them to serve and glorify Him in their lives.

Topical Bible Verses

John 14:12
Truly, truly, I say to you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.
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John 5:19
Then answered Jesus and said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also does the Son likewise.
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Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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Hebrews 6:1-20
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
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Library

Showing How one is Like unto God through Grace and Unlike unto God ...
... told you, you will have understood all the Divine truth which any creature can teach
you, and far ... And in that same working, through which God redeems us ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lviii showing how one.htm

Waiting on God
... let His light and His presence so shine through you that you ... things, preaching and
praying, studying and working, so occupied ... that you do not give God the time ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/iii waiting on god.htm

Of the Inward Working of God's Grace
... a godly feeling, which is above reason; and, through this godly ... To God it is essential,
and to all creatures ... to Their personal nature, in the working of the ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter ix of the inward.htm

Strong Faith in a Faithful God
... me, giving me his grace and working his providence ... be done aright, successfully,it
is God that performs it ... shall be performed of his grace through you by himself ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/strong faith in a faithful.htm

God's Sovereignty.
... hearty consent. He must work through our wills. He ... out His plan. We can
make God fail by not working with Him. The greatest of ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/gods sovereignty.htm

The Divine Law of Leadership.
... not forget, though it has sometimes been forgotten, that God's working waits upon ...
earnest service has been begun it has always been through a new ... God needs men ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the divine law of leadership.htm

God's Providence
... rapidly; you lose sight of all the little things that are within the circle; you
see only one great thing, and that is, that God is working through the world ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/gods providence.htm

The Kingdom of God and Your Part in It
... God is a society for the best men working for the ... can be taken away: "Behold the
Lamb of God, which taketh ... the world, and by taking it away, through you and me ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/vi the kingdom of god.htm

Putting God to Work
... ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. ... case illustrative of Old
Testament praying, and disclosing God's mode of working through prayer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/ii putting god to work.htm

On Working Out Our Own Salvation
... in the work of the Lord." And "the God of peace ... in every good work to do his will,
working in you what is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 85 on working out.htm