DOING GREATER WORKS

“Most assuredly, 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.” (Jhn 14:12)

Everyone longs to do greater works than what they are able to do. Jesus tells us we will be able to do greater works than what He does. He will have to leave this earth, but we will not be bereft. Instead He will send God the Holy Spirit to help us live, grow and even do greater works.

John 14-16 tells us that the Holy Spirit will be our Comforter, Helper and Teacher. He will lead us into all truth, telling us only what He hears from God. He will encourage and correct us when we fall, comfort us when we mourn, or teach us and purify us when we long to know and see God, for only the pure in heart shall see God (Mt 5:8). He will satisfy our hunger and thirst if we long for a deeper knowledge and intimacy with God. He will help us to be meek by guiding us into the truth of our selfishness and self-centredness and show us how to be merciful to others since we ourselves are so much in need of mercy. Indeed, He will lead us into all truth since He is the author of truth (1Pet 1:20,21). Above all these, He will be with us through all vicissitudes of life – through joys and woes, through highs and lows. The day is coming when the enemy will bring real woes to buffet us but the Holy Spirit will be there to help us excel even when we are hard pressed, persecuted, perplexed or struck down. In fact, He will help us release the fragrance of the Lord; for against such there is no law.

Ephesians 3:14-21 was written by Paul when he was in prison. Yet, he was so impassioned to encourage the church to be strengthened in the inner man by the Holy Spirit, so that Christ will dwell (i.e. will be really welcome) in their hearts. As the Holy Spirit is granted greater control of our lives, we will be filled with the fullness of God. Then we will be able to do abundantly…no, far more abundantly than we can ask or think! The goal is not merely to do greater works but more than that. The goal is that God will have all the glory in the church in all generations, forever and ever, Amen.