Being forgiven by God and delivered from eternal punishment are truly wonderful, yet there’s even more. Perhaps the most amazing thing that happens to us when we BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus, we’re born again, or regenerated (born again from a previous state of separation from God and subjection to the decay of death). “…even when we were dead in trespasses, GOD MADE US ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT OF GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:5-9)
So, we believe and by faith are saved and receive the gift of God, which is eternal life. What’s next? Jesus said, “Most assuredly (without any doubt), I say to you, he who BELIEVES IN ME, the works that I do HE WILL DO ALSO; and GREATER WORKS THAN THESE HE WILL DO, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father MAY BE GLORIFIED in the Son.” (John 14:12-13) Jesus is telling us that if we believe in Him, WITHOUT ANY DOUBT we will do WHAT HE DID and even greater things than He did so God would be glorified.
This is a promise to all believers. This is astonishing. So there is no exclusion here if you are a Christian. You shouldn’t think: oh, this is for pastors, or veteran Christians, or highly spiritual, mature Christians, or professional Christians, or missionaries, or elders, or evangelists, or highly gifted Christians. NO. The text says, “WHOEVER believes in me.” BELIEVERS, pure and simple, WILL DO the works Jesus did. If we are not doing these things does it mean were not believing? Let me answer it like this “he who BELIEVES IN ME, the works that I do HE WILL DO ALSO”
Just remember this, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
-Bill Stockham