We are winding down on the A-Z Challenge for Words for Reflection. Only three more days after today.Today's word is Work.
Ever since man left the Garden, work has been of the utmost importance to him. After all, he had to earn his bread with sweat and back-breaking labor. As time went on, although some still are farmers, for others, their work evolved into other occupations. Eventually, work defined who you were.
When you meet someone, it isn't very long at all before you exchange information about what you do for a living. A doctor's occupation seems to elicit more admiration than ...a garbage collector. Although, it is very important to have garbage collectors in society -- think how quickly there would be chaos if trash were not picked up!
Man began to have the mindset that he must earn his way in everything, even heaven. But if man were able to earn his way into eternity, why would Jesus have to sacrifice Himself to give us eternal life?
Once, a group of people asked Jesus a very important question. They wanted to know what works they could perform that would please God. Imagine their surprise when Jesus said, “This is the work of God—that you believe in the One He has sent.”* In other words, believe Jesus is who He said He is.
How surprising! He didn't command them to DO anything but trust.
Sounds simple, but sometimes in today's world trusting can be hard work. When people question how God can allow bad things to happen to good people, when it is said He doesn't exist, or He is dead, it takes work to keep believing, to keep trusting. It takes work to be in the scriptures, to daily be in His presence so that you can say, "What do you mean He is dead? I just talked to Him."
The Apostle Paul said faith without works is dead, so there definitely is a place for works in a believer's life. Your works should be done in obedience and gratitude for what He has done for you.
But the first step is to trust in Him. Only trust.
* John 6:28-29
This post was written in community with the April A-Z blogging challenge. To read others' work, go here.
So true to just start with trusting Jesus. All the work has already been done; we just need to trust and believe!
ReplyDeletebetty
Excellent post. I used to teach a culture class to people in our company that would be traveling internationally. I always pointed out how here in the US especially, our jobs often become part of who we are. I find it refreshing when I experience cultures that don't do that as much.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the reason I find that refreshing is because of what you mention here. What we do (or don't do) for Christ has nothing to do with who we are. Our righteousness is based solely on our belief in him.
BTW, I've been following you posts via email, but has been remiss to come and comment. I have really enjoyed your A to Z posts. :)
Work is an important part of life, but it's also really essential that people don't make it TOO important. It's all about striking the right balance between home, work, and faith.
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