Riff's Christian Journal

John 6:28-29 KJV Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Can man do this work of God? For hundreds of years the Hebrews had to try to do works of righteousness in order to prove they could obey the Law, receive Promises from God or be blessed by God, so it was quite easy for them to ask this question. They just needed to know what “they” could do.

For they said, “What shall WE do … that WE might work the works of God”?

Works of righteousness is all they were ever taught. Even after they failed at this, they still believed they could do it themselves. However, Jesus threw them a curve which they did not understand.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” However, they still did not understand, “John 6: 30 They said therefore unto him, What sign will you show then, that WE may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?”

Even though Jesus had said it was God’s work for them to believe they still wanted to believe on their own, so they could do God’s work In doing a work of righteousness themselves.

Throughout the New Testament God has said the following:

Ephesians 2:8, 9 KJV

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Timothy 1:9 KJV

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Titus 3:5 KJV

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Even today many who call themselves a Christian believe people can still do the work of God in believing on Jesus and be saved by a work of righteousness on their part, by believing, as they do their bit in saving themselves and staying saved on their own will.

Mankind just cannot give up their “Right” to save themselves. They still want to do it, even though Jesus says, “This is the work of God.”

In the Old Testament, being under the Law, mankind was in a works based system where man did a work and God responded accordingly. However, in the New Testament, being under God’s Grace, mankind is in a faith based system where God works in man and man responds accordingly.

Our faith, given to us is a gift when we are saved by Grace (Eph. 2:8, 9), is in Christ Jesus for having done for us what we cannot do for ourselves. It is by the faith of Jesus that we are justified.

Galatians 2:16 KJV Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Mankind cannot take any credit for being saved. Salvation is all of God, and believing in Jesus is the result of God working His will in us through regeneration so that we can, and will, believe on Him in whom God has sent.

For by Grace are you saved … not of works.

Who has saved us, and called us, not according to our works.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.