Believe the Works!

"If I am not doing the works of my father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."

(John 10:37-38)

I've heard it said that no one ever came to faith in Christianity via argument or debate. We can't force or make someone else believe in God - nor should we. Jesus wasn't the "believe-in-me-or-else!" kind of guy. And he had more than his share of detractors in his day. Many of the Jewish religious leaders were inherently suspicious of him from the start.

I love how he handled this. Instead of arguing or trying to "talk his way" into others believing in him, Jesus called them to look at his actions. Wow! "...Even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand..." Such wisdom.

Jesus was all about SHOWING LOVE to people! He intentionally spent time with the marginalized and outcast. He befriended "tax collector and (other) sinners." He had compassion on all people. He healed all the sick, not just the "good people who were sick." He spoke words of hope, encouragement, and grace to folks. He stood up against injustice. He was humble. He spent time with God. He invested himself into he lives of others (especially, but not limited to, his disciples). He included women in his ministry, at a time when they weren't included in most areas of life. I could go on and on...

So the question I must ask myself is: are MY actions pointing others to God? It doesn't matter what I say on Sunday mornings from the pulpit if I can't live out my faith the rest of the week. "LORD, give me a life of faith, so all that I do points others to you and your goodness and grace. AMEN."