The Only Work God Wants
Key Thought | Jesus isn’t after your performance; He’s after your belief.
Key Scripture | “Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.’” —John 6:29 NLT
The crowd chased Jesus down after the miracle of the loaves and fish. They wanted more bread, more proof, more power. Jesus saw straight through it: “You want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.” They were focused on what He could do for them, and what they could do for Him. He was focused on who they believed He was.
They asked Him, “What should we do to do the works God requires?” In other words, give us the list. Tell us the steps. Show us the formula. Jesus’ answer must have stunned them: “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” Belief, not busyness, is the work that matters most to God.
We’re not so different. We want quick fixes and visible results. We’re drawn to “doing” because it feels measurable and controllable. Read more, serve more, give more, attend more. Those are all good things. But without faith, they can easily become a way to hide an unbelieving heart behind religious activity.
Jesus is inviting us to something deeper than spiritual productivity. He is inviting us to trust. To believe that He is the Bread of Life, not just the One who hands out bread. To believe that His finished work is enough when our efforts fall short. To believe that eternal life is not earned through striving, but received through faith.
When we shift from “What do I need to do?” to “Who do I believe Jesus is?” everything changes. Our serving becomes worship, not obligation. Our giving becomes gratitude, not guilt. Our obedience becomes a response to love, not a desperate attempt to earn it.
Prayer | Jesus, thank You that the work that matters most has already been finished by You. Forgive me for the ways I’ve tried to earn what You freely give. Teach me to trust You more deeply, to believe that You are enough for my soul. Let my serving, giving, and obedience flow out of faith in who You are, not fear that I haven’t done enough. Amen.
Reflection
Key Scripture | “Jesus told them, ‘This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.’” —John 6:29 NLT
The crowd chased Jesus down after the miracle of the loaves and fish. They wanted more bread, more proof, more power. Jesus saw straight through it: “You want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.” They were focused on what He could do for them, and what they could do for Him. He was focused on who they believed He was.
They asked Him, “What should we do to do the works God requires?” In other words, give us the list. Tell us the steps. Show us the formula. Jesus’ answer must have stunned them: “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” Belief, not busyness, is the work that matters most to God.
We’re not so different. We want quick fixes and visible results. We’re drawn to “doing” because it feels measurable and controllable. Read more, serve more, give more, attend more. Those are all good things. But without faith, they can easily become a way to hide an unbelieving heart behind religious activity.
Jesus is inviting us to something deeper than spiritual productivity. He is inviting us to trust. To believe that He is the Bread of Life, not just the One who hands out bread. To believe that His finished work is enough when our efforts fall short. To believe that eternal life is not earned through striving, but received through faith.
When we shift from “What do I need to do?” to “Who do I believe Jesus is?” everything changes. Our serving becomes worship, not obligation. Our giving becomes gratitude, not guilt. Our obedience becomes a response to love, not a desperate attempt to earn it.
Prayer | Jesus, thank You that the work that matters most has already been finished by You. Forgive me for the ways I’ve tried to earn what You freely give. Teach me to trust You more deeply, to believe that You are enough for my soul. Let my serving, giving, and obedience flow out of faith in who You are, not fear that I haven’t done enough. Amen.
Reflection
- Where have you been more focused on doing for Jesus than believing in Jesus?
- What would change in your life if you really believed His finished work is enough?
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