Faith as Work

We often think of the James v. Paul debate. One emphasizes work; the other faith. Well, both come into the ring today as Jesus defines faith as work. It may be the work passed down from generations or a new type of work based on your context, but it's an interesting and different type of way for me to think about faith... and all the 'work' involved in having faith... during those even difficult times.



The Work of God

Another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. —Judges 2:10

The ODB reflection cited this verse today, and I remember what it means to remember 'the work which God has done for Israel.' In fact, it reminds me of the Jewish song 'dayenu': it would've been enough. Juniata's Baccalaureate service went through a short reflection on this phrase and how it is used to recount the many blessings and miracles in the lives of the Jews. It would've been enough. And I look to this verse, and I believe it's all too true. How often do we pause to reflect on what would the Lord has done for us, for all of us. For, we have a part with the Israelites now... their story is now ours, and we can now rejoice that...

Dayenu... it would've been enough for God to part the red sea
Dayenu... it would've been enough for God to send His son
Dayenu... it would've been enough to bless me with Brad in my life

And I pray that I may remember to recount and remember God's many great and wonderful works all the days of my life, because it's all too tempting to forget that it is enough. Though the beauty of our love is amazing, I forget that it's enough. But it's so important for me to remember right now that this marriage is enough, in spite of what the flowers look like or whether feel the most beautiful or whether there will be what kind of dancing and if the dance goes well. The blessing of our love is enough, and this beautiful work of God gives us faith in a gracious and kind and wonderful heavenly Father who has united us.


The Work for God... Passed Down Through Generations

19 Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his fellow gatekeepers from his family (the Korahites) were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the Tent [l] just as their fathers had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the LORD. 20 In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar was in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him. 21 Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. -1 Chronicles 9:19-21

Families also pass down their faith and their work for God. We can see this clearly in the different denominations that specialize in one work or another. Brethren are big on service. Other churches devote themselves to upholding the authority of scripture. Others dedicate themselves to evangelism. And perhaps this isn't a bad thing. I mean, we all know the phrase "jack of all trades and ace of none." If we try to dominate everything, it's first of all prideful and second of all un-biblical. This is exactly why Paul used the image of the church as a body. Perhaps we often think of that body on too small a scale. Instead, envisioning the Church, we can see how different congregations and denominations act as hands, eyes, feet, etc. Ever faithful to the gifts that God has given them, ever faithful to the Lord they believe in... their faith is reflected in the work that they do.


The Work Required by God... Having Faith

28Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

29Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

30So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'[a]"

32Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

34"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."

35Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." - John 6:28-40

This is the verse that stood out the most to me today... the work of the Lord is this: that you believe in the one He sent. Belief! How can belief be work? That's the work that is required of the Lord? Well, it obviously isn't an easy task. The crowd is told they need to believe, and what do they ask for? More proof.

In today's incredulous and cynical society, belief is hard to come by, perhaps even more in grad school where we are taught 'critical thinking skills' and 'to question everything.' But it's not only a grad school thing. I'm convinced that the larger society is copying this trend, and it's harder and harder to believe, to really believe. Couples who don't really believe in marriage sign pre-nuptual agreements. Police who don't believe in individual's words file false reports. My high school teacher Dr. Kreider practiced something which is probably long gone from high school classrooms nowadays. The honor code... she left the room, believing that her students would not cheat. Her belief in our own ethical code was empowering to me, and her actions (work) went along with her belief. You could see it.

Ask yourself again... do you believe? Do you really believe? Are you living like you believe? Can you see it? If you really believe that Jesus sent His son, what would you do? Who would you tell? How would you respond? Would you praise Him right now? Would you tell that neighbor and remind them of the blessing that frees us? Would you respond by continuing His work of love and grace and service here on earth?

Do the work required of you... have faith, believe.