Faith XXXIII
08/05/09 16:52
John 6:28, 29 “Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
The people who followed Jesus asked Him this question. They recognised that He was making a way to God unlike any of their teachers and religious leaders. He inspired them to want to do the works God requires. They weren’t asking about obeying the law but about bringing the kingdom of God forth on the earth. Remember Jesus main message was ‘repent for the kingdom of God is near’ and then He demonstrated it. They wanted to do the stuff too.
His answer is so simple, almost deflating. We look for a formula, a key to open the floodgates of heaven for us. He said there isn’t a formula to follow. Simply believe in the one He has sent! That’s it! Believe in Jesus!
If you believe in Jesus, you will do the works of the Father. You will see the lame walk, the ill recover, the blind see and those in bondages set free. It is that simple. I remember being so desperate to see the power of God work through my life that I went to a bible college founded by a man known for having the miraculous work through his life. I can remember waiting with bated breath for the key, the formula, the method for releasing the power of God. This was going to be good. Then he gave it. He said if you want to work the works of God your answers is John 6:29. Believe in the one He sent!
I was deflated because I thought I already believe in Jesus but that hasn’t released the power of God like I wanted. I wanted to see people set free. I wanted to pray for miracles and see them happen. I wanted to bring the kingdom of God in deeds not just words. But it wasn’t happening the way I thought it should. Then to be told all I had to do was believe in Jesus. Well, good! Great! What am I missing?
I was missing the confidence to act on what the Lord said. I just needed to act in faith. To pray for people, to share the good news with people, then expect that God would do the rest. The results are up to God not me. I can’t do the impossible, only He can. I just need to put Him in the spot where He can act. I do that by acting in faith. I will never put Him in the position to confirm His word if I don’t provide the opportunity. I was looking to follow Him to the opportunities. I was waiting for Him to move so that I could explain that this was God. He was waiting for me to tell people that God heals when I pray and then He would act. Faith is the evidence of things not yet seen. I wanted to verify what was already seen. I was waiting for Him to act and He was waiting for me to act. If I believe what someone says, I will act on it. He says pray and I will answer. If we believe it, then act on it. It’s how you activate your faith.
The people who followed Jesus asked Him this question. They recognised that He was making a way to God unlike any of their teachers and religious leaders. He inspired them to want to do the works God requires. They weren’t asking about obeying the law but about bringing the kingdom of God forth on the earth. Remember Jesus main message was ‘repent for the kingdom of God is near’ and then He demonstrated it. They wanted to do the stuff too.
His answer is so simple, almost deflating. We look for a formula, a key to open the floodgates of heaven for us. He said there isn’t a formula to follow. Simply believe in the one He has sent! That’s it! Believe in Jesus!
If you believe in Jesus, you will do the works of the Father. You will see the lame walk, the ill recover, the blind see and those in bondages set free. It is that simple. I remember being so desperate to see the power of God work through my life that I went to a bible college founded by a man known for having the miraculous work through his life. I can remember waiting with bated breath for the key, the formula, the method for releasing the power of God. This was going to be good. Then he gave it. He said if you want to work the works of God your answers is John 6:29. Believe in the one He sent!
I was deflated because I thought I already believe in Jesus but that hasn’t released the power of God like I wanted. I wanted to see people set free. I wanted to pray for miracles and see them happen. I wanted to bring the kingdom of God in deeds not just words. But it wasn’t happening the way I thought it should. Then to be told all I had to do was believe in Jesus. Well, good! Great! What am I missing?
I was missing the confidence to act on what the Lord said. I just needed to act in faith. To pray for people, to share the good news with people, then expect that God would do the rest. The results are up to God not me. I can’t do the impossible, only He can. I just need to put Him in the spot where He can act. I do that by acting in faith. I will never put Him in the position to confirm His word if I don’t provide the opportunity. I was looking to follow Him to the opportunities. I was waiting for Him to move so that I could explain that this was God. He was waiting for me to tell people that God heals when I pray and then He would act. Faith is the evidence of things not yet seen. I wanted to verify what was already seen. I was waiting for Him to act and He was waiting for me to act. If I believe what someone says, I will act on it. He says pray and I will answer. If we believe it, then act on it. It’s how you activate your faith.