Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 22, 2014
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.” John 6:28-29
The work of God is to believe in the One God sent–His son Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus is the foundation for good deeds done to serve the needs of humanity. Unless total trust in Christ motivates our actions, we become the main attraction. It’s not a benevolent heart that inspires the best service, but the compassionate heart of our Savior. The works of God first require belief in our risen Lord Jesus. Yes, righteous acts that last forever flow from faith in the Righteous One.
Furthermore, in our attempt to do for God, we learn to walk with God. The character behind our conduct becomes more like Christ. Our mind muses on the wisdom of God and our heart is held captive by Christ’s love. We rest in the reality that our value is not in what we do, but in who we are, because of what Jesus has done for us. Hallelujah, faith is the key that unlocks our storage unit of God’s unfathomable riches. We have grace to give after we receive God’s unspeakable gift.
“And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:14-15, KJV).
Are my works for God self-centered or inspired by the Holy Spirit? Are my actions instructed by the Almighty or by activities in my own power? I struggle with the need to be admired for doing the works of God, instead of dying to the desire for attention. As I learn to delight in the Lord, I am delighted by the success of others. The desires of my heart align with the desires of Christ’s heart. There is no Kingdom competition when the glory of God is the end goal of His servants.
The work of the flesh loves the headlines of feeding thousands or writing to tens of thousands. But the work of the Spirit goes to Jesus in humble gratitude for He has the words of eternal life. The flesh clamors for public accolades, but the Spirit prefers private heartfelt conversations. Thus, we do the work of God as we live our life in total trust of Jesus. We trust Him to lead us as parents to do the next right thing with our child. We trust Him to show us His way of wisdom with our finances. The work of God trusts God. It acts justly, loves mercy and walks humbly.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I trust You to work Your works in and through my life.
Related Readings: Psalm 64:9; John 6:68; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 2:16; James 2:18-19
Post/Tweet today: Our value is not in what we do, but in who we are, because of what Jesus has done for us. #wisdomhunters
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© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
