April 11, 2023
Works Misunderstood
“Therefore, they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?’” John 6:28 (NASB)
I can remember years ago when many churches held services three times a week. Twice on Sunday, and once on Wednesday evening. Over the years, I noticed church services changing to twice a week. The evening service on Sunday evening slowly disappeared. Each month, our church conducts a service on Sunday evening, to celebrate baptism and Lord’s Supper. Our crowds on Sunday morning and Wednesday evenings are often packed. The Sunday evening service to this date, still wains. This is after repeated attempts to remind the congregation of the importance of these services. Pardon me today if I rub you the wrong way: These things are often not easy to hear. As I reflect upon times of celebration for baptism candidates, I wonder why one would not want to celebrate with them in their new life. I also wonder how a Christian would not want to celebrate the Lords Supper. If we tell folks we are excited about watching God save their souls, why would we not want to celebrate their steps of faith along the way in baptism? Thinking back to the first century, I know hundreds of people stood by and watched as souls were being baptized in anticipation. In addition to this, why do Christians forsake the Lords Supper when the Lord Jesus commanded it? These were solemn events which marked the new church. I think, if we are honest, these might be an area we are lazy or too busy for our Lord. I know there are others however who do have valid reasons though, but for some it’s just laziness.
“What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” The first part of this phrase “What shall we do?” can be read more smoothly as, “What are we to do as a habit?”[1] Habits don’t produce righteousness though. Habits produce human effort. We can even get good at habits, even if they aren’t righteous. The questions the crowd asked were those who were trying to somehow work out their salvation even if they didn’t understand what it was. The word “work” or eraunaō used in the passage means to search or examine.[2] This “work” was their attempt to exert themselves by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity. The message though was missed. They were trying to gain something which only could be accomplished by human means. They sought the food which never perishes, but never understood the consequences of true eternal life. Sadly, many do this today. They want to work, to gain their way into heaven, but only for those things which fulfill their desires here on earth. The seeking by the crowd brought them to a realization which was only found in part.
Our salvation was given freely by our Lord and Savior but came at such a high cost. It cost the Father His only Son. It can’t be bought by anything but the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The food Jesus referred is the only thing which can produce eternal life. The crowd’s superficial look to food, revealed the depth of their understanding of the gospel message. Today, I fear there is an element in the church today which is only seeking the food that will only perish tomorrow. They don’t fully understand the new life Christ provides. The true food can only be produced by God’s Own Hand. Take the time today to inspect your life. Is it a truly transformed life? Or does it only seek Him when it is convenient?
[1] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Jn 6:28.
[2] Robert L. Thomas, New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries : Updated Edition (Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998).