Work, work, work?  John 6.28-29

We find ourselves in the middle of a long and full chapter of ministry for Jesus—he has fed the multitude from a young boy’s lunch, he has taken time out to be alone with this Father, (to pray and just be with him—remember, John the Baptist has just gone to his death, and losing his cousin was a huge loss and cause for great sadness for Jesus), he has walked across the top of the water to the disciples on their boat, demonstrating to them that he is Lord over all.  And then the crowd caught up to him again, wanting more from Jesus.

“What can we do to perform the works of God?” they asked.  Jesus replied, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the One He has sent.” John 6.28-29

One hospital bedside conversation plays in my mind as I write today ~ the fellow was dying, in the intensive care unit in the hospital, and happened to be alone when I got to the hospital.  I had not met him before that day but his family asked if I would go and try to talk to their father about Jesus while he was still conscious, and while he could still make a choice.  I talked with him a little bit, and he talked to me—about past pain and hurt—things that had driven him from the church . . . and then when I asked if he thought he was dying he said, ‘maybe . . . yeah, probably.’  ‘Do you know where you will wake up, when you take your last breath here?’  I quietly asked him, holding his hand, and looking into his eyes.  Breathing through his oxygen mask he said, ‘Well, I’d like to think Heaven . . . I mean, I’ve tried to be a good person . . .’  

Ah, there it was – ‘I have been a pretty good person, I think I will probably go to Heaven.’  I have discussed it with young people who believed in the fairness of God—that he would not send a ‘good’ person to Hell … so, if someone were good, then he would go to Heaven.  ‘But how good do you have to be then?  Is there a percentage of goodness?  Is there a certain number of good works or acts of righteousness to be performed?’  Hmmm.

It only makes sense – if I am a good little girl, at the end of the day, I get an ice cream cone.  If I am a good employee, I get a paycheck, and maybe a bonus.  If I am a good student, I achieve passing grades, and advance in school. 

But that is not the way it is in true biblical Christianity.  We do not serve a God who pats us on the head and says, ‘you were a good person, now you can go to Heaven.’  Eternal life is ours through Jesus’ goodness, Jesus’ righteousness, and our one good choice—putting our faith in him.  Jesus said it so simply, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the One He has sent.”

That believing involves relationship.  It does not imply religion.  Religion is manmade and messes everything up.

Mormons believe that one's salvation is based on such good works as baptism, good deeds, missionary work, and following Mormon teachings.

Muslims believe that it is a combination of good works and the ‘grace of Alllah’ – but eternity is still in question, even then.  Consider the Q’uran:

"To those who believe and do deeds of righteousness hath Allah promised forgiveness and a great reward," (Surah 5:9).

"And He answers those who believe and do good deeds, and gives them more out of His grace; and (as for) the unbelievers, they shall have a severe punishment," (42:26, trans. by M.H. Shakir).

"O you who believe! If you are careful of (your duty to) Allah, He will grant you a distinction and do away with your evils and forgive you; and Allah is the Lord of mighty grace," (8:29, trans. by M.H. Shakir).

Jews also are bound by good works.  The Jewish afterlife is called Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come); preparation is made for it by Torah study and good deeds.* 

“Good deeds” – there it is again.  Nope.  Good deeds are good to have, nice to have, and in the ‘ought to have’ category, but it is faith in him, and faith alone in Jesus Christ that God requires.  Paul said it so well, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2.8-9, NLT

“This is the work of God—that you believe in the One He has sent.”  

Amen.

Christine

*www.Jewfaq.org, Judaism 101