"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

  Doing the Works of God? by D.G. Miles McKee Shortly after the feeding of the 5,000, the Lord Jesus was confronted by a group of eager religionists who zealously asked, " What must we do that we might work the works of God?  (John 6:28). Christ’s reply is very telling.  He replies,  "This is the work of God that you believe on Him Who He has sent."  (John 6:29). Why complicate it?  To believe, (rest and trust) in Christ, is to do the work of God.  “Now to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance,” in spiritual terms there are two types of work.  There is first the work through which people attempt to earn God’s favour by doing good things. By the way, there is nothing wrong with doing good things, but to attempt to use them as a bargaining chip with Heaven is a matter of wickedness and folly.  Nevertheless, the religionist feels there is something he must do to turn God’s heart towards him. But listen again to what Jesus says, He asserts, " This is the

"...t hat in all things He might have the pre-eminence." -Colossians 1:18 [KJV] We cannot be happy, till this truth is brought into the experience of our hearts. The regenerate soul is ever at war with the flesh, for it opposes the pre-eminence of Christ. And is also at war against the proud notions of profane, as well as self-righteous men, who reject Christ our precious Head, from having the pre-eminence in the salvation of the body. They put Him in subordination in many things, instead of giving Him the pre-eminence in all things.  When our Lord says, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work,” (John 5:17,) some self-sufficient sinners become bold intruders, and add, “Lo we work also, and our works must have some part in our salvation.” Well, it will be so, till the law of works, which has the pre-eminence in their hearts, kills their legal hopes and self-righteous confidence. Soul, can you say with St. Paul, “I, through the law, am dead to the law?” (Galatia