”Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works (supernatural actions). Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the SAKE OF THE WORKS themselves.” (John 14:10-11) Nicodemus, said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can DO THESE SIGNS (works) THAT YOU DO UNLESS GOD IS WITH HIM.“ (John 3:1-2)
Most Christians see Jesus as One Who expects people to accept Him “BY FAITH.” What they mean by “faith” is that people ought to accept Jesus as the Son of God WITHOUT ANY PROOF, EVIDENCE, OR RATIONAL JUSTIFICATION—simply because He claimed to be divine. Most, in fact, see FAITH and PROOF as opposites. They think one must have faith in those areas where proof is unavailable. To them, “faith” is blindly accepting what you cannot prove, and deciding to believe what you cannot know. “Faith is the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” (Heb. 11:1)
Tragically, this widespread malady has fomented UNBELIEF, SKEPTICISM, AND ATHEISM. After all, God created the human mind “IN HIS IMAGE” (Genesis 1:26). Hence, the human mind was designed to FUNCTION RATIONALLY. When humans conduct themselves illogically, they are going against their natural inclination.
Later, Jesus noted that when people refused to believe in Him as the Son of God, they were without excuse, since the EVIDENCE of His divine identity had been amply demonstrated: ”If I had not done among them THE WORKS (supernatural actions) which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.” (John 15:24)
On one ocassion, the Jews surrounded Jesus and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. THE WORKS THAT I DO in My Father’s name, they BEAR WITNESS (show that something is true) of Me.” (John 10:24-25) Jesus shows us that “Works” are important, so He says “Most assuredly, I say to you, HE WHO BELIEVES in Me, THE WORKS (supernatural actions) THAT I DO HE (WE) WILL DO ALSO; and GREATER WORKS than these he (WE) 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. If you ask ANYTHING IN MY NAME, I WILL DO IT.” (John 14:12-14)
-Bill Stockham