“But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”
Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
John 6:27-29 NLT
If you want to be justified by your works, believe in Jesus, and keep on believing. Never let doubt creep into your mind. One of the best ways to keep on believing is by renewing your mind. Feed on God’s written Word, so that the Living Word will continually be front and center in your mind’s eye.
If you believe that Jesus is Lord, then He is your Lord. You become His servant. This is what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
We pray that our Father in Heaven will give us our daily bread. Jesus is the bread of life. Daily, we need Jesus to give us our marching orders of good works, done in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s direction. Remember, it is no longer us who live, rather it is Christ in us that lives and moves. Our job is to believe. Trust and obey. God does everything else. Pretty simple, right?
Trust, listen and obey. There is no other way to walk the straight and narrow path that God has laid out before each one of us. Do you believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life? Do you believe in the One that the Father sent? Then live your life in humble obedience to the Spirit.
It’s not a bad way to live. God knows what we need before we ask. He has already provided. We just need to patiently wait on Him. When He says move, then move. When He says stay, then stay. When He says speak, then speak. He will give you the words to say. Don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge that He is Lord and Master, and He will make your path smooth.
We are like dumb animals in His sight. He knows everything. He knows what He’s going to do and nothing can stop His plans. We need to become like Jesus. Only do what the Spirit tells you that He’s already doing. Only speak what the Spirit is already speaking. Our job is to believe. Trust and obey.
If we can train dogs, surely we can allow ourselves to be trained by God. He keeps His servants on a short leash for their own protection. We, like dumb animals, are prone to wandering off and getting ourselves in trouble, if not killed, in our sin and disobedience.
God is a good God. He won’t lead us astray. Make up your mind, once and for all, to surrender to doing God’s will instead of your own. Like the sign says, right turn permitted without stopping. Daily repentance keeps us on track. God’s not keeping score, unless you forget to confess your sins and get cleansed daily from the stains of worldliness.
Life in God is really simple. You believe in Jesus as Lord. You seek His face daily for instructions and you walk in obedience. That’s it. He’s responsible for everything else. He’s the One who works powerfully through you, lest you get puffed up with pride when God moves as He wants to when you obey His commands. We’re just the vessel. Either you’re filled with God’s Holy Spirit or you’re filled with something else.
Father, use us as You see fit. Amen.
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
James 4:7-8 NLT