FRESH
BREAD
The
Kingdom Series - “Doing the Works Jesus Did”
Jesus promised that all those who believe
in Him would do the works He did. Or did He? And if He did, then we have to be
honest and ask ourselves why so few believers are actually doing the exact same
works He did? Haven’t we been called to even greater works? What is missing?
What’s missing may be found in the word
‘do’. In other words, Jesus did not say believers would do the works He ‘did’,
but what He is doing right now! What Jesus did (in the past), and what He is (presently)
doing are two different things. The former is based on what we have read and is
a great encouragement, while the latter is rooted in an up-to-date living
relationship with the One who’s Kingdom is in us and right in front of us.
Shortly after making this promise Jesus
told His disciples, “No longer do I call
you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have
called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made
known to you” (John 15:15). While a servant works for someone, a friend works with
someone.
Wanting to do the works Jesus did is
admirable, but doing the works He is doing requires friendship, or to put it
another way, a fresh ongoing relationship. Its sort a like trying to put butter
on yesterday’s toast, verses the slice that’s just popped up out of the
toaster.
The Kingdom of God is not just something
we read about, it’s a very present reality where Jesus is the same yesterday,
today and forever and where what He did yesterday, He is doing now. Doing His
works is not about doing something for Him but doing it right now with Him,
just as we would do something with a friend.
Let’s pray and believe, but let’s also be
so close to Him and spend so much time with Him that He will tell us what He
and the Father are doing, and then do it with Him. That’s the Kingdom Jesus
told us was at hand!
"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 he will do, because I go to My Father. 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” (John
14:12-14).
David White
David - good word. Returning to the reality of a basic and real relationship with Jesus is one of the primary things I feel the Lord is emphasizing for His people this year. Not only is it the only way to find true fulfillment in our Christian experience (life itself actually...), but it is also the doorway through which we will be ushered into doing His current works in His strength and not our own, and His Glory, which is being released to those He can trust. At a time when the earth is being subjected to shakings unlike what any of us have seen in our lifetimes, "...the people who know their God will display strength and take action" (Dan. 11:32). The Lord is longing to see His people come into this posture and it is also the enemy's greatest fear.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the greater works? Great emphasis is placed on miraculous physical healings (which I can personally attest are wonderful to receive!). Even though Jesus cast out demons, healed the sick and cleansed lepers, none of these folks stood by Him when their leaders accomplished their goal to kill Him.
ReplyDeleteI know folks who have been healed beyond their doctor's understanding, yet continue to lead darkened lives. I know a man who was restored from the brink of death, and had died at least twice through his ordeal, yet does not give God glory for this miracle and leads the same unchanged life he knew before. And all these regularly attend church!
I believe that the greater works are evidenced in the cleansed and healed heart, and in the resulting transformed life. The testimony of one who has truly experienced Jesus' love in their hearts is contagious! This is the spiritual reproduction, or fruitfulness, that Jesus tells us glorifies our Father.