God’s Work Should Never Be A Burden

Today’s reading: John 14:5-14

One of the most important lesson I’ve learned in recent months is that these words from today’s reading are precise: “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do” (Verse 12)

The distributive property of mathematics does not apply here; this formula does not work in reverse.  It is possible to do the works of Jesus without believing in Him.

How many times have I felt resentful of a friend who asked for help too often? How many times have my words of forgiveness or apology been secretly insincere?

Plenty!

Yet, in most of these cases, I decided to grin, bear and proceeded with “Jesus’s work.”

That’s better than nothing, I suppose. But the quotation marks are intentional.  Jesus doesn’t really work like that.

Thanks to my careful recent study of passages like this one, along with the help of several wise pastors and their sermons, I finally understand that my good works are not necessarily a sign that I am living in God’s grace.  Belief must come first. Then great works will follow naturally.

And here’s the great part: when done through a sincere belief in Jesus, God’s work is never a burden. In fact, it’s actually quite pleasurable.

Thanks be to God for the Grace that always inspires me to do great work in His name.