Believe the Works!

This morning while doing my Come Follow Me studies I came across a scripture in John that I had never noticed before. The words of John 10:37-38 struck me powerfully:

            “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in Him”

            I’m not sure why, but the phrase “believe the works” stood out quite powerfully to me. Chapters 7-10 of the Book of John are filled with examples of people questioning Christ’s true identity. Though there were some who believed and proclaimed “This is the Christ” many others continued questioning and doubting. The Pharisees continued to condemn Him and His works, branding Him a sinner, a blasphemer, and someone possessed by a devil. Yet at every turn, Christ points to His works. He invites all to “come and see” for themselves and to put His words to the test. John 7:17 says “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” This invitation is similar to Alma’s invitation to experiment on the word, to put it to the test and try it for ourselves. The promise is that if we try it and we get the promised results, we can know that both the doctrine and those who taught it are of God.

            I love this invitation to “believe the works”. Christ does not ask us to have blind faith or trust. Though He does ask us to have faith and to trust in Him, He invites us to use both our minds and our hearts, to recognize the good and see the evidence for ourselves so that we can know of a surety that God lives and loves us and that Jesus Christ is our Savior. President Nelson also recently invited us to "Pray to have eyes to see God's hand in your life and in the world around you." If we are looking, we can find evidence of His hand in every detail of our lives. Though we may sometimes struggle to trust in His words and promises, as we remember the wonderful works He has done in us and for us, we can renew our faith and hope to continue onwards.

            These chapters also contain another story related to the works of Christ. In John 9, Christ heals a man who was born blind. Christ’s disciples asked Him who’s sin had caused this affliction: the man’s or his parents’? They believed that the man’s trials were a direct result of some mistake and this affliction was the price that he paid for that sin. How often are we like the disciples? How often do we look at others’ trials, or even our own, and assume that someone must have done something wrong? 

This is a common assumption and, occasionally, that may be the case. However, in this story, Christ teaches us a valuable lesson about many of our challenges in this life. In John 9:3, Christ responds, saying “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him.”

What an interesting perspective! The trials and challenges of this man provided the opportunity for Christ to manifest His divine power and calling. Because of his afflictions, the man received the opportunity to be healed by the Savior and gained great faith. When questioned by the Pharisees he proclaimed, “one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” This man “believed the works” of Christ and later, upon being taught by the Savior, he proclaimed his belief that Jesus was the Christ and worshipped Him. 

This man’s story taught me about believing the works of Christ. This man did not know much about Christ. He had also suffered much in his life, he was born blind, was a beggar, and even after being healed was branded a sinner and cast out of the synagogue merely for stating what happened to him. Yet, this man could not deny the evidence. He could not deny the work that Christ had done in him. Though many presented claims against Christ, the man stood by what he knew, even if it wasn’t much, and “believed the works.”

As I look around me and examine my life, I am able to see so many examples of the Savior’s role in my life and His guiding influence. The works that He has done both for me and in me leave me filled with love and wonder at His greatness. Sometimes it can be hard to believe the promises of God. They can seem too wonderful, too fantastic, and may be true for someone else, but not for me. Yet as I examine the works of the Savior in my life, I cannot help but have faith and trust in Him. He is bringing about “a marvelous work and a wonder” in my life and I am humbled and grateful to be along for the ride. Though the road brings challenges and difficulties, they are opportunities for “the works of God to be made manifest" and for my faith to grow.

I join my testimony to those of the New Testament in proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He came to Earth to rescue and heal each and every one of us. He meets us where we are at, walks with us, and works miracles in our lives each and every day. Of this I am sure.