33. We have a Partnership with God
We are partners with Christ in life. We see the quality of life emphasized in Colossians 3:4.
As maturing Christians, we have the capacity to enjoy life and we have an abundant life as seen in 1 John 5:11-12.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11-12)
We are partners with Christ in position (Ephesians 2:6).
We are partners in service and production (1 Corinthians 1:9).
The Greek word KONONIA means a sharing in common, not only in social life with other believers, but also fellowship with the Father and the Son.
We have a partnership with the Trinity that indwells us. We have social life with other believers as a result of true fellowship with God.
Christian fellowship is one side of the coin and involves outreach, intake of Bible doctrine, spiritual growth, and missionary action.
The other side of the coin is our partnership with the triune God. 1 Corinthians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Corinthians 6:4.
We are partners with Christ:
1) In life
2) In position
3) In service
4) In suffering
5) In prayer
6) In marriage (bride of Christ)
7) In expectation (1 Peter 4:12-13)
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, (Eph. 2:6)
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:9)
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; (2 Corinthians 6:4)
We are partners with Christ in suffering. This suffering for blessing in time can either be undeserved or deserved and is designed for blessing. Blessing in time becomes rewards in eternity. We will suffer in Christ in time and reign with Him in eternity. 2 Timothy 2:12; Philippians 1:29; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; Romans 8:18; Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 4:12-13
if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; (2 Timothy 2:12)
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, (Philippians 1:29)
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. (1 Peter 2:20)
so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. (1 Thessalonians 3:3)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)
Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. (Colossians 1:24)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)