Thoughts for another day

October 10, 2011

Today's verse: Jn. 6:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

A long time ago, when I first read the Bible I came across the verse, 'Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.'  Though it didn't etch itself in my memory, it made me think: Why did God credit righteousness to Abraham for merely believing Him?  As I grew mature in the Word, and learnt about God and gradually came to know Him, I understood the clean import of that Word!  I realize its significance can only come by quickening of the senses by the Holy Spirit; otherwise it's impossible to understand this and many other Scripture verses for Jesus said, looking they do not see and hearing they do not understand which is also deep as is anything of God. Its only those who're familiar with His territory who can understand; just as Jesus said, 'for the mysteries of the Kingdom are revealed to you (the disciples), not to others.'

The whole work that one can do to God is, to believe in Him.  This isn't some superficial belief but absolute and firm belief that He is there and that when He asks me to do something, I simply do it, not because it's easy (and sometimes it can be really tough remember, Abraham had to leave his father's house, his kindred and everything else), but because you trust God who has asked you to do it and He will take care of you in any of your situation.  That's like believing and acknowledging His immensity, His power and His Sovereignty.

Having said this, I know, it's difficult to believe.  Ah, one might say, it's easy to believe in Jesus, but then Jesus doesn't test your belief when there is light and everything is okay; He does it in the dark of the night when you can hardly see anything and the terrain is hilly and you hear Him say, 'Jump!' Today, we hear a similar command, 'This is the work of God that you believe in His Son!'  For truly the Carpenter of Nazareth didn't come with flowing robes and a halo around His head.  He came as an ordinary Jewish laborer from a humble background.  Like a Pharisee one may say, 'Oh, how can He be God, He has nothing regal about Him!' Yet, God has His ways and when you believe in Jesus Christ, despite other choices of mystical chants and flamboyance of idol gods, you know you're close to the Kingdom.  Just press on and you'll be about His work.