 |
| Photo source: linkedin Emmauel Kojo Ampomah |
I had the pleasure of attending a Ladies' Retreat with my church a few weeks ago. The theme was Gospel Love, Joy, and Peace and our speaker, Barbara Bancroft, challenged us with doing the work of the believer. Now, I was interested to know more about the work we ought to be doing as believers--I tend to be a get-er-done kind of a gal, an over-achiever, type-A person who likes to accomplish things. Just tell me how to do it and when it is due, thank you very much.
Turns out that the disciples of Jesus wanted to find this out, too. They asked Jesus this very same question in John chapter 6. Let's take a look at this ourselves, starting with verse 28:
"Then they said to him [Jesus], 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'"
Now at first glace, it seems as though Jesus is getting us off the hook. I mean, really, the only "work" He mentions is "believing." This is just too easy, right!? Okay, no problem...can do.
But, as we dive into what this word "believe" (pisteuo) means in the Greek, we must realize that it connotes far, far more than the word as we use it in English. Today, we might use "believe" as a hopeful speculation, or even an unfounded wish, like those iconic music lyrics: "I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky...." The word "believe" can also mean intellectual assent. Scripture tells us that even the demons believe in God and shudder (see James 2:19). However, "believe" as most often used in the Bible means "to give credence to; be convinced of something; to trust." The command to "believe" involves living based on faith, trusting in who God says He is through His Word.
Well, what is it...exactly...that we ought to be believing to do the "works of God" Jesus talks about in the Gospel of John? Well, Barbara helped to flesh that out for us over the retreat weekend, and I'd love to do that here, as well. In fact, many of these things I have discussed already on the blog, so I will link those articles into the text so you can learn more. Here they are, laid out for all those bullet-list-lovers out there, like me:
- We are forgiven
- We have Christ's righteousness
- We are God's adopted sons
Now at first glance, this list seems very "doable." I scan it and in my mind say, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh...got it. But, if belief is not just mental assent or hopeful speculation...if it involves stepping out onto these truths and living them out in faith, then I know--if I were really honest with myself--that I fail miserably. When I try to earn my right-standing with God by what I do, or when I despair over my sin (and stay stuck there), or I live out the day feeling abandoned and unloved, I know that I am not doing the work of the believer...to truly believe that I am fully forgiven, made completely righteous, and adopted as a child of God.
Even as a long-time believer, I find myself believing God, and then struggling to believe God, even in the same day! And it would seem that I am not alone; check out one father's experience in Mark chapter 9, starting in verse 20:
"And they brought the boy to him [Jesus]. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' And Jesus said to him, '"If you can"! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'"
I can sooo relate to this dear man! Can I just tell you that I am so super grateful his story is recorded?! He tells Jesus that he believes, but in the very next breath, he asks Jesus to help him in his unbelief! Are we all not all like him, if we are truly honest with ourselves? How many of us choose to live our lives based on how we feel, or based on the current circumstances in our lives and not upon the fact that we are forgiven, righteous, and children of God? Oh, how I know our lives, our families, our churches, and our nation...even the world...would be radically different if we Christians were faithful to do the work of the believer, and believe!
No comments