Do God’s Works

Jesus says to his disciples, let us do the works of God (John 9:4). He reveals the nature of his work in the Synagogue when the Scroll of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1–2) was handed to Him. Jesus, in his manifesto, declares, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” ( Luke 4:18–19, CSB). John tells us the reason “The Son of Man,” i.e., Jesus came. It is to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8b), and the works of the devil are targeted in Jesus’ manifesto (spiritual captivity, blindness, and oppression). We are the conduits that God uses to shine the light of his glory in the world. No wonder Jesus says in John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” You will be my witnesses (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). You will make disciples of all nations for Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). This is what it means to do the work of He who calls. People in Norfolk are living in spiritual captivity, blindness, and oppression. Some of these people live in our communities, offices, stores, restaurants where we eat, and parks where we hang out with family and friends. One way to keep doing God’s works is to be a conduit for the light of God’s glory to shine into someone’s spiritual blindness. Another way is to intentionally step out of your comfort zone with the holistic gospel of Christ, meeting the felt needs of the people around you. Another way is intentionally checking on your neighbors or colleagues and sharing the gospel with them. I urge you to begin to do God’s works and don’t just stand there to criticize God’s works like the Pharisees criticize Jesus and his disciples.

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