What work should I do?
by Mark Gierus
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Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent’ (John 6:29).
Read John 6:25–35
What sort of work pleases God? Have you ever wondered what he requires of us?
We are told over and over again that when it comes to work, we are to do our best, often going above and beyond what is asked of us. Think of students at school or university – work hard and strive to do your best. You may even have been brought up that way, encouraged to finish every job well. But when it comes to working for God, what does he really require of us as his children?
Yes, God wants us to give the work we are called to do our very best, put our hearts into it and carry it out as though we were working for God himself rather than for a boss or system. Yet what is it that God requires of us?
Jesus tells us straight about what work God requires of us. The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.
Serving, loving our neighbour, sharing God’s love and telling and living the good news of the gospel – that Jesus died for my sins, in my place so that I might be forgiven and set free – is surely the work of God and what he requires of me, isn’t it?
Yes, but the work of God first and foremost is to believe in the one he has sent, his only Son, Jesus. Then, out of faith in Jesus come good works of service, sharing and living out God’s love toward others, giving all our work our best effort. This all flows from believing in the one the Father sent – Jesus.
Dear Jesus, you tell us that the work of God is to believe in you. I believe; help me when I doubt and worry to trust that you are the one the Father sent, and you are the one who gives me peace. Amen.
Pastor Mark Gierus currently serves as a Lutheran pastor in the Alberton Lutheran Parish, including the LORDS school at Ormeau in Queensland. He is married to Kerstin, and they have three beautiful girls aged 9, 13 and 23. They enjoy family things like hiking, going to the beach, singing and jamming, looking after their pets and going on road trips. Mark and Kerstin pray that God will continue to bless you as you grow in him and come to know him more and more through his life-giving eternal word.
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