Works Of Faith

Read: John 5:16-30

[Jesus said,] “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” John 5:24

IN WORD

Those who listen and believe. That’s the message Jesus and the New Testament writers preached: salvation by grace through faith. Yet only a few verses later, Jesus muddies the water by declaring that those who have done good will have eternal life and those who have done evil will be judged. His first statement is all about faith. His second is all about works. And we’re left wondering exactly how we can enter the Kingdom.

Of course, our simplest explanation is that salvation comes by hearing and believing, but faith always results in works. Therefore, works don’t secure our Kingdom citizenship; they simply reflect the fact that we have become Kingdom citizens. We don’t earn salvation; we demonstrate it. But in smoothing out our theology on this point, we often miss an important emphasis—that Jesus really does expect His people to do the works of the Kingdom. We can’t be passive citizens. Our salvation is the beginning of a mission, not the end of one. In this world, we are vital representatives of the King.

What are the works of the Kingdom? Miracles of healing and deliverance certainly qualify, but the core of the Kingdom culture is the King’s heart. He is drawn to the hurting, the oppressed, the captive. He defends the defenseless and befriends the lonely. He doesn’t just wait for people to come to Him with their needs; He seeks them out.

IN DEED

Works of the Kingdom are evidence that the King is at work in us. They authenticate the faith we say we have. They aren’t a standard to live up to; they are a lifestyle to fit into. That’s a process, and God is infinitely patient as we grow. But this is the direction to grow. Justice, mercy, compassion, grace, empathy, and whatever fits His nature—these are to be the attitudes behind our actions. Jesus doesn’t just call for faith and words. He insists on faith and works.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 21:28-32

We do the works, but God works in us the doing of the works.

AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO