How do we carry on?
Let me share with you two crucial steps:
1. Believe that Jesus is God
This step may seem straightforward. In fact, you may even feel tempted to skip this section. That would be exactly the reason not to! Because believing in Jesus is not as easy as you may think…
1) Even Philip did not believe.
“Show us the Father.”
– Philip (John 14:8)
By asking Jesus to show them God (“the Father”), Philip revealed what he saw – or did not see. He did not see Jesus as God!
This comes as a surprise – and as a warning to us. Philip had been with Jesus 24/7 for two to three years. Jesus had regularly taught that He was God (e.g. John 10:30). In fact, immediately before Philip’s request, Jesus states clearly, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also” (John 14:7).
Are we like Philip? Some of us have been in church for a long time. Would Jesus also say to us:
“Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me?”
– John 14:9 (ESV)
2) It is easy to understand; it is a challenge to believe.
Virtually everyone understood that Jesus was claiming to be God. In John 10:33, a group of people said to Him, “You, being a man, make yourself God.”
But understanding is one thing; believing is another. These people did not believe – in fact they picked up stones and wanted to kill Him.
Jesus Himself understands that it can be a challenge to believe. That is why He said to Philip, “Believe Me […] or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves” (John 14:11).
Do we also struggle to believe, despite understanding? Let us learn more about and remember often the works of Jesus (especially His resurrection from the dead) – that we may believe.
And if we do believe, we will fulfill our calling! How?
It works like this:
(1) We will do the works that Jesus did – leading people to faith (John 14:12).
Jesus’ works were done to draw people to believe in Him. Thus (Jesus’) works –> (we) believe –> (our) works –> (others) believe: what a wonderful pattern will happen, if we believe!
(2) We will do even greater works than Jesus did (John 14:12).
Jesus was going to the Father soon… and on His way there, He would die for our sins, rise from the dead, and promise the Holy Spirit to us. That’s why in some ways, we do greater works – because we now have the Spirit, and because we speak of a Saviour who has already died for us and has already risen from the dead!
So do you believe in Jesus… that He is God? Check again, and make sure! This belief will allow you to do Jesus’ works and greater works!
2. Love Jesus by obeying His commandments
Who do you love? Some will say their friends, some will say their siblings, and some will say their parents… when you say you love them, what do you mean? Is it the good, warm vibes and feelings you have for them? Or is it a matter of who that person is to you – ‘he’s my father, of course I love him! Bo pian what… (Hokkien for “I have no choice”)’.
Do we love Jesus though? And what do we mean by loving Him?
Jesus tells us three times over in John 14 that the way to love Him is to keep His commandments (v15, v21 and v23).
How does this help us fulfill our calling?
It works like this:
We keep Jesus’ commandments = We love Jesus –> The Spirit will work in our lives –> We fulfill God’s calling!
How will the Spirit work in our life?
- He will be beside us and in us, such that God Himself is with us just as Jesus was with the disciples (John 14:16-17).
- He will guide us to learn, understand, remember, practise and apply God’s truths – because He is the Spirit of truth (John 14:17).
- Uniquely, in a never-before-seen kind of way – the Jews had never experienced this as a people, nor will non-believers ever experience this (John 14:17).
So do you love Jesus by keeping His commandments? Are there things in your life in which you are not keeping His commandments? Look at what He promises to those who love Him… and let us love Him with our lives!
Conclusion
As Philippians 3:14 says, in Jesus, God has called us heavenward… and it is by believing in Jesus and loving Jesus that we will press on towards our goal. Perhaps these two can be your New Year’s resolutions?
May you have a new year full of faith and love, and soon enough, good works and the Spirit’s work in your life… sure and steady steps towards fulfilling your calling!