We humans tend to get things easily mixed up when it comes to our part and God’s part of life. The questions of ‘Who’s responsible for what?’ and ‘Who controls what?’ often get answered incorrectly when we allow our natural human instincts to control our spiritual relationship with God. It’s easy to do. We live in a natural world, one we can see, hear, touch and taste; a life with calendars and time, deadlines and limits, expectations and facts. God, on the other hand, is Spirit. Although He is present everywhere, all the time, we don’t always hear His voice, or see His involvement in our lives. We have a hard time connecting with Him, and therefore give in to the natural instinct of taking things into our own hands, to control what we see, to validate our experiences with what physical proof we have. We do it with our own lives, and with the lives of others.
Yet, if we are Christians, we need to understand the dynamics of our relationship with God; to prevent us from trying to do His part, and to make sure we don’t neglect our own. So, where does this leave us? What does the Bible say about our relationship with God, in reference to our involvement with our own life and the lives of those around us? What guidelines are we to follow when we see suffering, pain, trouble and wrongdoing in our world? While there are definitely times when God would have us to step forward and speak or act in order to prevent abuse or injustice from taking place, other times we are to leave the vengeance, resolution or justice up to Him.
While a short blog is woefully inadequate to cover such a large topic, here are a few scriptures to get you started.
Our part: live peaceably, never avenge ourselves. God’s part: vengeance and repayment for sin and wrongdoing.
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'” (Romans 12:18-19, ESV)
Our part: put on the armor of God, withstand the enemy, stand firm, remember we fight not against flesh and blood, remember the war we are in resides in the spiritual realm. God’s part: to fight the war against the enemy on our behalf.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:11-13, ESV)
Our part: to work out our own salvation. God’s part: to work in us His will and plan.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV)
Our part: confess our sins, pray for others. God’s part: answer prayer, assert His spiritual power in the situation.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16, ESV)
Our part: do not fret or worry; pray; give thanks; make requests to God. God’s part: give us His peace as He reminds us that He is in control and hears our prayer.
“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5b-7, ESV)
As God’s children, let’s stay focused on our responsibilities and let God take care of His. It’s the only way to find real freedom and to see His power manifest in the world.
A Deeper Walk With God 