Coworkers
"The Lord worked with them" Mark 16:20.

How important was Jesus Christ in world history? Writer Michael Hart, in his 1992 book "The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History," ranked the top six people in this order:

1. Muhammad
2. Isaac Newton
3. Jesus Christ
4. Buddha
5. Confucius
6. St. Paul

Jesus is only number 3!? What a disappointment! In preparation to write this column, I found more than a couple Muslim Web sites boasting about Muhammad's top billing in Hart's book.

But look at the list again. Among the top 6 picks:
three are Christian: Newton, Jesus and Paul
three represent other religions
One could conclude that Christianity has impacted human history as much as all other belief systems combined.

Michael Hart says he placed Muhammad as number 1 because the prophet did everything to establish Islam, organizing the spiritual, religious and sociopolitical spheres of the Middle East into a new paradigm. In comparison, Hart claims, Jesus supplied only the spiritual spark for Christianity, while the theological, ecclesiastical and mission aspects of Christianity were instigated by St. Paul.

Whether we agree with Hart's reasoning or not, he hints at an important fact: rather than doing everything all by Himself, our God shares the mission with His children. Consider Mark 16:20: "Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and THE LORD WORKED WITH THEM and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it."

Theoretically, our missionary God could evangelize the world of lost people without our involvement. He does not need us to fulfill the Great Commission. In reality, however, He invites and calls us to work with Him. We are coworkers in God's mission. Paul was the major -but not the only-coworker of the apostolic church. Down through the centuries, witnessing men, women and children also have been God's coworkers. Today it's your turn and mine to be "God's fellow workers" (2 Cor. 6:1).

The Greek verb in the phrase "the Lord worked with them" is "synergeo," the source of our English words "synergy" and "synergism." A proper understanding of synergy is imperative for the Christian.

When it comes to our salvation, synergy is impossible. Synergism is the belief that we can work with God to procure our salvation. The Bible teaches that God alone is the Savior. He redeems and justifies us wholly on the basis of Jesus' work and not one iota on the basis of our efforts.

When we speak of our role in God's mission, synergy is both possible and desirable. Through the Holy Spirit's indwelling, God works in us to will and to act according to His purpose (Phil 2:13: Eph. 2:8-10). Recognizing how God works with us gives us boldness to witness. We know we are not alone. We are not limited to our own meager resources.

We work with the Lord and the Lord works with us. That's how the Lord carries out His mission to a dying world.

1. Modern business literature speaks of synergy in the workplace. What do business leaders mean by this term? How is it different from and similar to synergy in God's mission?
2. Michael Hart ranks Moses #15 and Luther #25. Discuss how these two men worked with God and gave Him the glory.
3. How does it feel to bear the title "God's fellow workers"? See 2 Cor. 5:17-6:1.
4. Is your working with God cause for pride or humility? See 1 Cor. 15:9-11.