WORK GOD’S WORKS (1)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the WORKS that I do he will do also; and greater WORKS than these shall he do...” – John 14:12

Believers are not only called to Walk God’s Walk but also to WORK GOD’S WORKS: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the WORKS that I do he will do also; and greater WORKS than these shall he do, because I go to My Father” (Jh.14:12). Believing in Christ – Walking with Him – precedes Working for Him. The Walk speaks of relationship, fellowship, conduct, character, and Intimacy with the Lord. The Work signifies Stewardship, Service and Ministry. We’re called to be with God, and walk with and like Him; then to WORK with and for Him (Mk.3:14-15). In reality, it’s God that does HIS WORKS in and through us: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phi.2:13).

As Believers in Christ, we did not work FOR our salvation; but as we walk with Him, we receive grace to WORK OUT our salvation! We intentionally and actively manifest the reality of our redemption, through obedience to God. This infers living a Christ-like life, following His commandments and exemplifying His love and character. God supplies us the willingness, the power, and even the pleasure to do His Will. We simply “work out” what has been worked in us: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the POWER that WORKS in us” (Eph.3:20). God’s works in and through us powerfully, to accomplish infinitely more than our greatest request, our most incredible dream, or wildest imagination.

Jesus’ words in John 14:12, as perplexing as they sound, are greatly encouraging and inspiring when meditated on in context. What it says is that all of us who believe in Jesus will carry on with His work, in some amazing way, do greater woks, and as a means to that end, have access in prayer to Jesus, so that everything we need we can ask for and receive: “And whatever you ask in My name, that I WILL DO, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I WILL DO IT” (vv.13,14). Therefore, ultimately, the Lord is the DOER of all things, working in and through us.

Jesus’ promise was not made to the apostles alone, but to ALL who believe! So, it’s the normal Christian life for every Believer to do the works of Jesus. But, what does it mean to do the works that He did? Does it mean that we all could turn water into wine, read the mind of the Samaritan woman by the well, heal the Centurion’s son, heal the cripple at the pool of Bethesda, feed 5000 people with five loaves and two fish, walk on water, give sight to the blind, or raise Lazarus from the dead after four days? These obviously were demonstrations of the Gifts of the Spirit, which manifest in some Believers, but not in all (1Cor.12: 7-10, 29-30).

In the context of John 14: 11-12, Jesus was referring to the specific works that lead people to believe in Him – Works that point to Him! In John 10:25, Jesus said, “I told you, and you do not believe. The WORKS that I do in My Father’s name, they BEAR WITNESS of Me.” My works are the things I do that bear witness about me. As Christ’s followers, everything about our lives must display or bear witness to Him – His faithfulness. All Believers must point people to Jesus, and through Jesus to the Father!

Beloved, our foremost “work” is the Work of Love: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jh.13:35). There are yet “greater works” to do, because Jesus ascended to the Father and the Holy Spirit now resides in us!