My sermons always include the sage advice to spend time reading God's Word, because the answer to every question is found there. Yet, I am amazed when I stumble upon a verse in Scripture that I've read over and over again--but failed to grasp the answer to a question I struggle with every day. What an awakening as the Holy Spirit illuminates my mind, opening up a simple yet awesome truth.
Because I feel compelled to answer the call to minister the Gospel at every opportunity--I take seriously the how, when and where as well as the doing everything according to God's plan and direction. So, am I the only one who struggles, wondering if I'm following God's will--asking too if I'm fulfilling His call in the way He wants me to.
John 6:26-29 the multitude by the seashore ask Jesus: "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" When I read this question, my pulse quickened, anxious to see Jesus' answer--and as always he took notice of sincere questions and gave a succinct answer.
"Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.'"
When we repent of sin and believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ, we are 'born again', become a new creature in Christ, are saved. Whatever terminology you wish to use--we're promised eternal life--John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life." That's a given and is repeated in several verses, stated as: "believe and be saved", "Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved", and so forth.
Of course the thief on the cross only had to believe and Jesus told him, "Today you will be with me in Paradise". He did no "works of God", he only believed. As a pastor I have seen the mercy of God played out so many times with death-bed conversions where someone who lived a selfish, sinful life, cries out to God and is "saved". These do not have an opportunity to "do the works of God". But those who are granted life beyond our first awakening to who Jesus is, accepting Him as Savior through faith, believing on His name. We have to look at what James says: "Faith without works is dead".
Being inadequate to accomplish anything meaningful or dynamic...I still long to do the works of God. This is where Christ's teaching shows us that our first and most important "believing in Him" can go much further as we launch out into the deep mysteries of God through total and complete trust in His Word.
When we believe in His Word, our faith is stretched to ask for the miraculous to occur through us as we allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct our actions. Our prayers become personal and intentional, seeking, not our own will to be done, but God's will. Believing Scriptures like Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose"--that is when God will work--His works through even the worst of situations--because we believe he will.
Stretching our faith to trust Him to perform His Word will leave a trail of the miraculous in our wake. Believing that God will be God, according to his Word and purpose is how we will do His Works.
Embracing all of God's Word helps us to accept when His purpose is not in line with ours. Isaiah gives the promise (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), Chapter 55, verse 11. "So shall my Word be that goes forth out of my mouth, it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
When we trust Him, (believe), we do not question when things do not work out the way we think they should. We realize He will work according to His will and turn evil for our good as we BELIEVE.
Hope you will be blessed by my musings about John 6:26-29. I know it has been an eye-opener for me as I long to do the Works of our great and mighty God. What a privilege!
