Long nights of prayer, hours of fasting, and groping for the Lord to receive answers, it’s been a long journey, but finally the blessing has manifested. All of it has brought you to this place. You patiently endured. Your faith remained anchored in Christ, and because it did, you proved that good and acceptable and perfect Will of God as it says in Romans 12:2! Now that your faith in the Lord has gone through what seemed like hardcore cardio exercise, it is stronger than it has ever been, but more strength training is on its way. We need to know that when we get to what seems like the finish line, it’s not a place to get comfortable. It’s a time to get ready for the next lesson of faith and endurance in God’s love.
Jesus Christ said in John 14:12-14(NLT), “12 I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” The Words of our Master Jesus here are extremely powerful, yet perplexing on one level. If we’ve studied the Gospels to any degree, we know a little bit about the suffering, ridicule, and inhumane treatment Jesus Christ endured. We also know his tremendous power, obedience, humility, compassion, and love. No one took his life from him, he laid it down for us. So, when he says that we will do even greater works, at first glance it may seem to be a bit much.
The reality is that as followers of the Lord Jesus, we must carry on his work. As it stands, the greatest accomplishments of humanity are in part attributable to the wonders of our modern times in things like science, medicine, and technology. God made all this possible for us through the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, yet Jesus did not have these resources when he walked upon the face of the earth. Within the confines of his humanity, but not his deity, it would not be legal for him to leap thousands of years ahead and pull advancements from the future. That would have interrupted God’s plan. So, when he began his ministry on earth, he could not post a scripture or parable to a hundred thousand people in less time than a blink of an eye, but we can. Given this, we can understand a little bit more about the prophecy our blessed Savior gave in John 14:12.
Greater works is referring to the works of our precious Lord. It’s not referring to worldly works that achieve nothing for God’s Kingdom. It is on the basis of continuing the works and mission of Christ to spread the Gospel and to be of service to the body Christ that verses 13 and 14 rests. We can ask anything in the name of Jesus Christ, and he will do it, but what we ask must bring honor to his name, and not subtract from it. What we ask must be a witness to God’s glory, and not our own agendas for selfish gain. So, when we receive the manifestation of what we’ve prayed and longed to receive, a greater work will then reveal itself. A greater opportunity to shine our lights, to increase in humility, and cling tighter to our Heavenly Father will show up, and this is not always comfortable, and it is hardly ever expected.
Jesus Christ said in Luke 14:28(NLT), “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?” God carries us through, teaches us how to walk with Him in faith, and rewards our diligence, and the blessing we’ve received is going to require even more of the humility, persistence, and endurance we demonstrated at the beginning. Think of it this way, when your boss recognizes your hard work and contributions to the company, he or she might then determine that you are qualified for a promotion. That promotion didn’t come out of thin air. It costs you something to get it, and after you receive it, it will cost you something to maintain it.
Jesus Christ said in Luke 12:48(NLT), “But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” We need to prepare ourselves for the reality that as we go higher and receive more, more is going to be required of us. Receiving a wonderful blessing can feel sometimes like we made it to the finish line only to go back to the starting line, but the truth is that we are abounding in Christ. We are learning to be more like him in every way. So, we must anticipate that our faith will continue to get a workout, and this will keep us pliable and flexible to the Father’s Will.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“From the Finish Line back to the Starting Line”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2023. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.