Faith Footsteps: Thirteenth Episode
John, the Apostle was the original mystic: deep thinker, deep lover, and deep writer, that’s why his gospel is unique. He alone recorded Jesus’ farewell sermon in chapters 14-16 which demands our faith footsteps go deep as well.
Jesus was preparing the disciples for His departure, traumatic as it was, but His words of encouragement and promise of the Spirit would get them through.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” John 14:1
The Son of God takes this last effort to help us understand the divine union of the Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One God yet three persons. If we believe in the Father then Jesus’ teaches we also believe in Him which leads us to believing in the Spirit who dwells in us forever: the divine union. The tense of this verb believe indicates a long-term commitment to actively taking the steps of faith.
Since Jesus returned to the heavenly throne He left the Holy Spirit to empower us to live a victorious life in Him, however, that faith, trust, and certainty we receive from God moves us to love and serve others in the same power of the Spirit. That’s undoubtedly why Jesus said,
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:10-12
Four times He stressed believing in this divine union and four times He mentioned ‘works’. Why? Consider this: the works or deeds Jesus carried out while on earth gave proof that’s He’s God but also had the purpose of launching believers into the same ministry. As Jesus did nothing of His own authority, only what the Father showed Him (John 5:19-20), we carry out His ministry today in His authority and under the Spirit’s control. The same love and compassion Jesus possessed drives us to accomplish good works and even greater works.
… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
As we walk in faith let’s ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the good works He’s ordained for us thereby glorifying God as we continually point to Him as the initiator. When we receive the praise of man … He doesn’t.
… that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power. 2 Thessalonians 1:11
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