“Working on my relationship with Christ Jesus” refers to a believer’s spiritual growth and transformation, which is enabled by God’s grace through faith in Jesus. It is not something a person accomplishes on their own, but rather a work that God initiates and brings to completion in a believer’s life.
Several key concepts define what this work entails:
- Transformation by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit, who lives within believers, is the force that sets a person free from the power of sin and death. This spiritual work renews the mind and changes the believer’s desires to align with God’s will.
- A new creation for good works: As Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, believers are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them”. These good works are not a means to earn salvation, but rather the result of a life already transformed by grace.
- Growing in humility and likeness to Christ: Through this process, believers learn to be humble and meek, prioritizing others over themselves. This discipleship process involves learning from Jesus and becoming more like him.
- Living and building on Christ: The life “in Christ” is like a tree, with roots growing deeper into the source of identity, forgiveness, and love, which is Jesus. This connection provides a firm foundation for building one’s life, even in difficult circumstances.
- Empowerment for a new purpose: As new creations in Christ, believers are redeemed from the penalty of sin and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do good works for God’s glory and for the benefit of others. This includes using spiritual gifts for the benefit of others within the body of Christ.
- A partnership of grace and effort: The Christian life is not about resting in salvation alone, but about working hard fueled by the strength and energy that Christ provides. Paul writes in Colossians 1:29 that he toils “with all [Christ’s] energy that he powerfully works within me”. This is not motivated by fear or guilt, but by the joy and peace that come from being loved and accepted by God.
In Bible teaching, God’s work in the world today continues through the ministries of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, centered on reconciling and restoring creation. While God completed the initial act of salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection, he is still actively working to bring about new creation.
The continuing work of Jesus Christ
After his ascension, Jesus took on a new, ongoing role, primarily as the great High Priest who intercedes for his people at the right hand of God.
- Interceding for believers: Jesus continuously prays for his followers, ensuring their salvation and security in God (Hebrews 7:25).
- Reigning over creation: The Bible teaches that Christ is currently reigning over all things until every enemy is under his feet. He continues to establish his kingdom by subduing hearts through mercy, granting faith to those who embrace him (Psalm 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:24–28).
The active ministry of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God’s active presence in the world, bringing conviction, regeneration, and sanctification.
- Convicting unbelievers: The Spirit works to “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8), drawing people to recognize their need for Christ.
- Empowering believers: The Holy Spirit indwells every believer, giving them spiritual gifts to serve the church and act as God’s ambassadors in the world (1 Corinthians 12).
- Producing Christlikeness: Through the Spirit’s power, Christians are transformed and bear fruit such as love, joy, and peace. This process is how believers are made more like Jesus and become what they already are in Christ.
- Restraining evil: The Spirit is at work in the world today to combat lawlessness and restrain evil, though this work will cease at a specific time in the future (2 Thessalonians 2:6–10).
The overarching project of new creation
The culmination of God’s current work is the restoration of all things through the new creation.
- Individual reconciliation: At the individual level, a person who is “in Christ” becomes a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old nature passes away and is replaced by a life of righteousness and holiness.
- Reconciliation of all things: This individual change contributes to a larger, universal project of reconciliation. Through Christ, God is reconciling the entire world to himself, making peace between heaven and earth (Colossians 1:20).
- A new community: God’s work is also building a new, inclusive community—the church. This community is called to be a witness to the transforming power of the gospel and demonstrate the love and peace of the new creation.
- Future fulfillment: While the new creation has already begun, it is not yet fully realized. Believers live in the overlap of the old and new ages, anticipating the day when Christ’s work is complete and all things are made new.