Do You Have a Bad Good-Work Ethic?

ORSBORNAGAIN (17)

A devotional series by Major Rob Birks

ORSBORNAGAIN is meant to introduce the poetry of the first Poet General, Albert Orsborn (1886-1967) to a new audience and to reintroduce his works to dyed-in-the-(tropical)-wool Salvationists.

These are not new songs.

However, the lyrics are jam-packed with new life, which may be missed during corporate worship. Re-examined through scripture and experience, Rob Birks intends through an examination of these scared songs to renew the spiritual fervor of believers, and point seekers to their Savior.

Earnestly seeking to save and to heal, 

Working for thee, working for thee; 

Grant me, O Saviour, the marks of thy zeal, 

Earnestly working for thee. 

Working for thee, working for thee, 

Earnestly, constantly, faithfully working for thee. 

Constantly working, I will not delay, 

Working for thee, working for thee; 

Keeping my trust through the whole of the day, 

Always and only for thee. 

Faithfully working, my life’s purpose claimed 

Wholly for thee, wholly for thee, 

That of my work I may not be ashamed 

When I am summoned to thee. 

Albert Orsborn 

484 The Life of Holiness – Consecration and Service 

(Reference to 1987 Songbook – not in 2015 edition)

Okay, let’s get a few things straight – straight away: 

1. We are not saved by our good work (Eph.2:8-9)! 

2. There is important work to do, and not enough people doing it (Matt. 9:37-38). 

3. We are not saved by our good work (Rom. 3:28)! 

4. The work of God is to believe in the one he has sent (John 6:28-29). 

5. We are not saved by our good work (Gal. 2:16)! 

6. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17)! 

7. We are not saved by our good work (Gal. 3:1-3)! 

8. We were created for good works (Eph. 2:10). 

9. We are not saved by our good work (Rom. 9:31-32)! 

10. We are to work with all our hearts, as working for the Lord (Col. 3:23). 

All clear?  Good.  I thought it would be. 

If I am to be honest (and I am to be), I would have to say that this is not one of my favorite songs penned by Orsborn.  My lack of enthusiasm for this song could be due to the fact that the word “working” is used 10 times (16, if you sing this through with the chorus each time).  Don’t get me wrong; I am not averse to the idea of working, or even doing actual work.  While I have been accused of working smarter, not harder, I still consider myself to be a hard worker. 

Here’s the thing.  It is easy for anyone in ministry, doing the “Lord’s work,” to feel that work is where it’s at.  We have created a culture in the church equates a good, Protestant work ethic with a good, Christian life.  Again, don’t hear what I’m not saying.  I firmly believe the truths stated in points 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 above.  It’s just that I also firmly believe the truths stated in points 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 above. 

If I am to be honest again (this is getting to be a habit), I would suggest that the even points above are over-stressed in the church (institution), which tends to over-stress the church (individuals).  The odd points above are given brief lip service, and then it’s back to work.  In other words, if we’re not careful, we can give the impression that we have faith that we are saved through faith, but we work as if we are saved through work. 

Here are two questions to help prove my point:  

1. When was the last time you said or heard someone in ministry say, “Oh, man, I have so much work to do today/this week/this month?” 

2. When was the last time you said or heard someone in ministry say, “Oh man, I only have one thing on my “to do” list today/this week/this month.  It’s to believe in the one God has sent”? 

I’m pretty sure each of us has to figure this faith and works thing out for ourselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit and some wise counsel from Scripture and other believers, of course.  If this song can help us out at all, it’s the fact that Orsborn was sure of a few things regarding his work, all of which are in agreement with the “Top 10”” list above. 

1. His desire was that his work would benefit OTHERS (v.1). 

2. He wanted his work to be marked with Christ’s zeal (v.1). 

3. He was working for Jesus (v. 1, 2, 3 & chorus). 

4. His work was purpose-full (v.3). 

5. He wanted to do good work (v. 3). 

6. He knew where his eternal Sabbath would be spent (v.3). 

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. – Martin Luther King Jr.