The Character of God's Workman

The Collected Works of Watchman Nee #52

by Watchman Nee

In the work of God, the worker is more important than the work. If God cannot find the right person, He would rather delay His work. Much time and effort will He spend in the training of a workman fit for the Master’s use. Basically, the training is more in the area of character than of skill. Only a new creation can serve God. Positionally, “if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor. 5.17mg.); experientially, old habits will have to be shed and new habits formed through the working of the cross in his life. A few principal characteristics of the life of Christ need to be incorporated in the worker before he is qualified to be a servant of God. Otherwise, God’s work will suffer in his hands. It is far better for him not to plunge himself at all into the most sacred work of God. Seeing the importance of the workman’s character in the service of God, Watchman Nee gave a series of messages on this subject to a group of fellow-workers in Kuling in 1948, which was subsequently published in Chinese. A condensed version, in English translation, was published by the Church Book Room, Hong Kong, in 1965, it being the work of the late Miss Elizabeth Fischbacher. It was a work beautifully done and of the highest quality. Sensing, however, the tremendous significance of these messages in relation to God’s work and His workmen, a new English translation of the full text seems now to be in order. While so doing, the spoken form of these messages has been preserved and only necessary editing done for clarity. The fundamental features of the character of God’s workman given by Watchman Nee are that he: (1) is able to listen, (2) loves all mankind, (3) has a mind to suffer, (4) buffets his body and brings it into subjection, (5) is diligent and not slothful, (6) is restrained in speech, (7) is stable, (8) is not subjective, (9) has a right attitude towards money, and (10) is dealt with on some other important matters.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Spirituality, Christianity

243 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Watchman Nee (Chinese: 倪柝聲; pinyin: Ní Tuòshēng; Foochow Romanized: Ngà̤ Táuk-sĭng; 1903–1972) was a Chinese Christian author and church leader during the early 20th century. He spent the last 20 years of his life in prison and was severely persecuted by the Communists in China. Together with Wangzai, Zhou-An Lee, Shang-Jie Song, and others, Nee founded The Church Assembly Hall, later which would be also known as the "Local churches" (Chinese: 地方教會). or more commonly as (聚會所) meaning "assembly hall"

Born into a Methodist family, Watchman Nee experienced a religious revival, and joined the Church of Heavenly Peace, Fuzhou in 1920 at age 17 and began writing in the same year. In 1921, he met the British missionary M. E. Barber, who was a great influence on him. Through Miss Barber, Nee was introduced to many of the Christian writings which were to have a profound influence on him and his teachings. Nee attended no theological schools or Bible institutes. His knowledge was acquired through studying the Bible and reading various Christian spiritual books. During his 30 years of ministry, beginning in 1922, Nee traveled throughout China planting churches among the rural communities and holding Christian conferences and trainings in Shanghai. In 1952 he was imprisoned for his faith; he remained in prison until his death in 1972.

Reviews

[Brice Karickhoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book jam-packed with practical wisdom. Definitely worth the read if you care about this kinda thing, as Nee touches on some important character traits that I think we tend to underemphasize in one way or another. The book is organized where each chapter focuses on one characteristic, and each chapter is totally self-contained. So you could pick it up and read whatever interests you. The chapters are:

1. A good listener
2. A lover of men
3. Having a mind to suffer
4. Buffeting the body and making it a slave
5. Diligent
6. Restrained
7. Stable
8. Not subjective
9. Towards money

I got the most out of 1, 5, 7, and 9. So if you come across this book and just wanna dip your toes, maybe read one of those!!

3 stars because this book was actually transcripts of spoken sermons and it wasn’t exactly readable. I tried to take it slow because it did not lend itself to reading big chunks. It was dense, yet repetitive, and because writing offers you less opportunity to add emphases and nuance as opposed to speaking, I think I missed the point Nee was trying to make sometimes. So as much as this book taught me, I wouldn’t say it was enjoyable to read per se.

[Dani Detwiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is a bit intense but the principles are good. The chapter on “Have a Mind to Suffer” was very timely for me. Some chapters were definitely more impactful than others.

[Adam Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always Nee’s books are priceless and are must reads fir serious Christians who want the will of God to be done on earth as it is in heaven

[Kelly Becerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitivamente es un libro que señala las características de la persona que está sirviendo a Dios. Desde el amor hacia las personas, el control de las palabras, la disposición a sufrir, el someter el cuerpo y ser disciplinados, la diligencia, ser estable y objetivo, evitar a toda costa la subjetividad y finalmente, tener una actitud correcta hacia el dinero. Todas estas características no se consiguen de un día para otro, incluso deben pasar años hasta que el obrero de Dios pueda ir madurando espiritualmente y desarrollar cada una de estas cualidades. De manera frontal, Watchman Nee exhorta a ser cuidadosos y tomar con la mayor seriedad el servicio y el llamado que Dios ha dado a los obreros.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watchman Nee wrote with a spiritual simplicity that causes the reader to easily Embrace his advice. This particular work, as the title implies, offers a plethora of biblical critiques on a workman’s character.

Issues such as suffering, self-centeredness, marriage vs. celibacy, love of money, listening skills, etc. are addressed in compact and highly comprehensible ways. It is a pleasure to glean from the reflections of such a devout servant ofGod.

[Shane Ryan Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is typical of Nee's writing: he writes some profound truths mixed with some error. It is difficult to know with absolute certainty how much of the error is the result of his limited understanding on a subject or if one of his followers who transcribed his oral words into writing had misunderstood or added their own words. This book is uneven. Some sections are very good whereas other sections drag on way too long.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

es un muy buen libro para saber como quieres Dios que seamos respecto a su palabra.

[Eimy Porrello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reallygood

[Andrew Klob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a powerful book filled with so much wisdom. Nee’s book is unique since most books that describe a Godly character focus on maybe the fruit of the Spirit or the Christian virtues (which is great), but Nee simply offers characteristics that he thinks are important based off of Scripture and his experience as a pastor. For instance, one of the characteristics that Nee looks at is the ability to listen well (i.e. thinking about James 1:19 here). Clearly this is taught in scripture as a Godly characteristic, but I think what makes this book stand out from others is Nee’s insight into this characteristic and others. Nee, as he does in all of his books, balances the truth that we need to strive after Godliness but we also need to appropriate the many truths of our position in Christ. In summary, this book, with its focus on the many characteristics of a Christian, captures well the truth of Phillipians 2:12-13:

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

Overall, this was a fantastic book that I highly recommend. Another classic work by Watchman Nee.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the content of this book is excellent, the style drove me crazy. It's the only one if my course books I gave away. I think they were transcripts of a sermon. It reminds me of someone who says something several different ways to ensure it sticks with the audience -- in speaking, it's fine; in reading, it made me feel like I was reading the special Ed version--"I understood it the first time!!" I'm sure it's me--others in my class loved it.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book delves into material I have not seen by any other author in what God requires of his servants.

[Joy Olarte · Rating 5 out of 5]

You want to get deeper in your relationship with God - this is a great study tool to have on hand. It's very indepth in solid truths about God.

[Jeffrey Gan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indeed, to be a worker of the Lord is to be the work of the Lord

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great look at how God deals with and builds the character of a leader. Richer and deeper than many current leadership works.

[Jessica Lowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a favorite for me - especially "Be not subjective" chapter. Very convicting book.

[Brett Fuglsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watchman Nee does a terrific job of laying out what the worker for Christ looks like. It's by no means perfect but it's quite close. The biggest thing I got out of it was 'having a mind to suffer".

[Forest · Rating 5 out of 5]

not this version

[Moisés Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro es una guía práctica de cómo podemos comenzar a actuar en pro no solamente de una misión con Dios si no de como mejorar nuestra vida en general, es un libro muy práctico y completo.

[Lane Bloomer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Occasionally tough to stay tuned in to, yet the teaching is biblical and faithful.