What must we do, to being doing the "works of God"?

The Work of God

Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” ²⁹ Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”^[1]

This question is from John 6:28 and comes from a group of unbelievers who had just seen Jesus preach and perform the miracle of the loaves and fishes.  Jesus offers an unexpected answer.  He actually ignores their question and tells them what they actually need to hear.

These men clearly had an unrepentant, religious mindset.  They ask the Lord, “What must we do?”  When dealing with God this is the exact wrong question.  Instead of justifying this wrong question with a response, Jesus ignores them and answers the question they should have asked.  He answers, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”  He tells them what God’s work is.  God’s work in them is that they believe in his Christ.

Some have read this passage to say that Jesus responds something like, “These are the works that God desires of man.”  There are even some Bible “translations” (I hesitate to use that word) that render it that way.  But the fact is that it is grammatically impossible to read the Greek text in such a way.  The phrase is Τοῦτό ἐστιν τὸ ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ, “This is the work of God.”  No connotation of desiring anything of man anywhere in the words.  Furthermore, to read it like this creates a contradiction of the biblical teaching that we are saved, “apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28)

Also to understand this exchange the way I have presented it is to read directly in the context of the rest of this passage.  Jesus goes on to explain to this group of unbelievers about God’s unconditional election of sinners to salvation through believing in his son.  This section details the work of God in saving his people to the uttermost, drawing the elect, losing none that are his.  Once you are his you CANNOT walk away.  Christ does the father’s will perfectly.  John 6 contains beautiful truths that should be precious to anyone who claims the name of Christ.  The next time you think, “What must I do?”  Remember how Christ answered this crowd, “This is what God has done.”

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^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Jn 6:28–29). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.