28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
Our verses for today demonstrate the willingness of the crowd to know and to do their duty regarding the requirements of God. They were totally convinced this “everlasting food” Jesus had spoken of would be theirs at the completion of such works. They presented both a serious and humble question in response to Jesus’ Words – willing to do the work; they now sought to know what the work was:
27 "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." John 6:27 (NIV)
“It is not a question of our equipment but of our poverty, not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us.” Oswald Chambers
I can so relate to their enquiry and am fairly confident I am in good company! We are such a works oriented culture are we not? Ever pushing ourselves to do more and more – get up earlier, stay up later, push, push, push, work, work, work, do, do, do. We even come back from our vacations needing respite! Sometimes I wonder what underlying factor propels our motivation towards this frenzied lifestyle – pride, insecurity, a continual lust for more, greed, power, selfishness, a desire to blend, a desire to stand out – you fill in the blank. I know what it definitely is not – it is not God’s requirement for our salvation. Scripture tells us:
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9 (NIV)
Jesus gives the crowds an answer quite contrary to their works oriented thinking. Our works will never be good enough because flawed people do flawed works – simply put, we lack. Scripture tells us the following Truths:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (NIV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV)
This is why we need a Savior; we simply cannot save ourselves no matter how hard we try. Jesus tells us in our verses for today: "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." Do we believe in the One He has sent? It is God that does the work of faith; the one thing necessary for us is that we believe or trust in the One He has sent. Jesus, sent from the Father full of grace and Truth, came to seek and to save that which was lost – which is everyone, by the way, apart from Christ:
10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:9-10 (NIV)
While grace is lavishly and freely poured out to those who believe, it came as a great cost to God – the cross of Christ was the price of grace. Sometimes I think we, as modern day believers, have the gift of grace down so good we are trampling upon it. Grace is not a license for licentious living rather it is the ultimate lesson given in the law of love by our Lord. It calls every believer to a higher calling through His power. This love is found in the hearts of those who believe, transformed by the power of the precious indwelling Holy Spirit.
“There are such difficulties in the way of our salvation as could never be overcome but by that grace of God which is almighty. ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’ His grace can work on the soul, so as to alter the bent and bias of it, and give it a contrary leaning.” Matthew Henry
13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:13-19 (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. 1 Cor 13:4-8 (NIV)
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13 (NIV)
“Love Him totally who gave Himself totally for your love.” Claire of Assisi