Trust in Jesus

Dear Weekly Readers!

Please find the article below written by Pastor Ken Storm.

May God Bless your Week!  John R.

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:29

THIS STATEMENT BY JESUS WAS directed unto the people who had followed Him by the sea of Capernaum. They had witnessed in recent days many miracles of healing He had performed on those who were diseased, and the miracle of feeding a great multitude of people with only five barley loaves and two small fish. When they beheld these miracles they were convinced that Jesus was a prophet of God; and rightly so. For it was God, through Jacob, who prophesied: The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Genesis 49:10) Yet the people considered Him to be only a prophet; not the Messiah, the Son of God, nor the Savior of mankind.

We see however, that Jesus, who searches the hearts of men, found that unbelief was ruling their lives. The people had focused on the bread and fish they had eaten and were filled. Little did they consider the miracle by which so many were fed with so little. Even more notable was the fact they failed to observe carefully the significance of these miracles. Jesus therefore clearly redirects their minds and hearts away from that which they observed outwardly and unto the meat which He gives that is everlasting and does not perish.

He tells the multitudes to expend their efforts for that which never perishes, namely the spiritual food He gives. In verse 51 of our text chapter, He said, I am the living bread which came down from heaven, and in verses 53 through 58 Jesus explains the need for men to eat this spiritual bread. (Read John 6:29-58.)  The people however did not comprehend these words of Jesus and therefore promptly asked, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (John 6:28) The same question is commonly found in the minds and hearts of men today because spiritual darkness rules within. The answer to this question is no different today than it was when Jesus said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Someone may ask, "How does one really believe?" First we must understand that the nature of man is to seek to be justified before God by his own labors and his own works. This trait is inherent in the flesh of all mankind and is motivated by pride. The natural man is determined to effect, by his own doing, something that he thinks is acceptable and meritorious before God. Oblivious is he to the Word which teaches that there is nothing man can do of himself to achieve righteousness before God.

It has already been accomplished in perfection by Christ Jesus on the cross of Calvary where He suffered, bled and died to pay our sin debt; and in the power of His resurrection He instills a lively hope of eternal salvation in all who believe in Him as the Scripture teaches. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Here only is the true righteousness which is acceptable to God. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) We must conclude with the words of the Apostle: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10) We see that human intellect must be put aside.

If, dear friend, you find that you are struggling to make yourself righteous before God by your own efforts, as did the people in our text, may God reveal to you that your struggle is against Him and rejects His perfect work of salvation for you. Dear friend, cease from your fruitless and futile efforts which will only lead to spiritual shipwreck. Surrender instead to the loving, entreating words of the Savior who today invites you, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Come just as you are but with a repentant, humble and contrite heart, confessing your sin and your failed efforts to make yourself righteous. Trust in Jesus, God's perfect gift to all, for your righteousness. Here, in His kingdom on earth today, the blood of Jesus continues to speak grace and forgiveness. Jesus awaits your arrival, and His children will assure you with the audible Gospel and the laying on of loving hands that this miracle of spiritual healing is indeed true. Your sins are washed away in the name and blood of Jesus Christ your Savior.  May the wonderful, saving work of God through living faith in His Son be accomplished in every heart. ~