“Then said they unto him, ‘What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?’
John 6: 28-29 KJV
Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.’
So often we think that it is in the doing of particular works that demonstrates the Work of God. While it is certainly true that the Lord Jesus has redeemed us “unto good works” (Eph. 2:10 KJV), and it is equally true that our faith is demonstrated by “good works” (James 2: 17-18), the work of God is far greater than that!
Jesus stated emphatically that the true work of God is believing in Him (totally and completely with all that we are and all that we have. Mark 12:30) . In other words, it is our complete faith and trust in Him that brings genuine and lasting transformation. The work must be done In Us before it can be done Through Us! Everything begins and ends therefore with our believing in Him!
It is our belief in Christ and what He has accomplished for us that brings about salvation. It is our belief in Christ that brings forgiveness. It is our belief in Christ that brings peace with God, with others, and with ourselves. It is our belief in Christ that unleashes the power of the Word of God in us. It is our belief in Christ that releases the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit in our lives and our fellowship. It is our belief in Christ that brings hope. It is our belief in Christ that brings joy. It is our belief in Christ that brings deliverance from the powers of darkness. It is our belief in Christ that brings healing to our bodies, to our lives, to broken relationships, and broken families. It is our belief in Christ that brings purpose and meaning in life. It is our belief in Christ that gives value and meaning to our work and all that we do (1 Cor. 10:31, Col. 3:23). It is our belief in Christ that motivates us to honor Him and serve Him!
Indeed, everything rests upon the fact that we truly believe in Him! This means that we believe that Jesus is Who He says that He is and that He does what He says He will do! Everything that flows into and out of the Christian life rests upon that foundation! (1 Cor. 3:11). This is truly the Work of God!
Rev. James W. Black
