There are a number of Bible versions that really convict me.
Some are verses I’ve been exposed to throughout my whole life.
Others verses are ones that I’ve honestly read for the first time this week.
And they stop me in my tracks, and hang over me.
They haunt me.
They cause me to search for direction.
And that’s not a bad thing.
Do other people feel the same way?
Are there verses in the Bible that stick with you as well?
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Throughout my life, there have been two verses that have really haunted me and caused me to seek direction.
It would be a blessing to receive your feedback.
(To facilitate conversation, I am dividing this blog post into two separate posts. One for each verse. Blog subscribers will receive an email notice when the next post is published.)
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The first verse is from John 14:12:
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
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Greater things than Jesus Christ?
Are you serious?
I can’t even pay off my credit card debt.
Is there another translation that applies to people like me?
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Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
The next section of this gospel puts Jesus’ statement into context:
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
(John 14:15-17)
I do not question the power of the Holy Spirit.
But I do know know there is one giant obstacle in the way.
And that is me.
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They will do even greater things than these.
My sinful nature must really be in the way.
And maybe that is the direction I need to go.
The Apostle Paul made the same observation:
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
(Romans 7: 24-25)
It’s probably not a reach to say we all regularly fail to recognize our own nature.
We try to do things our own way because we think we know best.
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What is your reaction to Jesus’ words in John 14:12?
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
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Paul Miller’s book on prayer, “The Praying Life” has been helpful to me interpreting these versus. When I make my prayer cards, then I can break down requests into smaller tasks that I can see progress. For example as I have recently been praying for my daughters they are now moving walking distance from my home. I think part of the secret to living in this world with Godly perspective is to ask for a lot of things. Then we can see progress in areas where the spirit is moving. In other areas where there is little progress, we look for God’s wonder in the desert.
I highly recommend this book.
Pat
Hi Pat. Thank you for the book recommendation. I am going to download a sample to my kindle and check it out. It sounds good. Thanks!
Hello,
The Holy Spirit has spoke something I believe can relieve you of this questioning (and deception that YOU can do GREAT and MIGHTY things for the Lord beyond credit card debt) you have.
In the 14th chapter of John, Philip is asking Jesus to show them [the disciples] the Father. Jesus goes on to explain that IF they believe that He is in the Father and the Father in Him (v.10) then they have seen the Father.
Verse 12 in the NKJV says, “Most assuredly [the word 'assuredly' in the original Greek means trustworthy] I say to you [Brent] he who belives 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.”
With that as a foundation, remember that these “wonders” that were happening were happening right in front of the disciples; of which they had never seen before. But, Jesus is now [presently] sitting at the right hand of the Father awaiting our imminent judgement.
How does this answer your question? I am glad you asked. Because Jesus [the man made flesh, born of a virgin, who lived a spotless life for our sins] isn’t actually here to perform these miracles anymore. He gave us his Holy Spirit to guide us and direct us so that you and I can perform even greater works in His name (see John 14:14) for the unbeliever as well as the body of Christ.
So when a verse keeps coming around it is because He [the Holy Spirit] is trying to teach you something. I believe that He wants to perform some amazing things with you in your ministry that some will not believe were possible and you will be able to say all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me.
Saturate in Psalm 37:3-4 and may the God of all grace be with you today in Jesus name. Amen.
My name is Joshua B. and you can reach me at 951.329.0959 if you need a little more clarity. Stay up he is going to do some awesome things with you!
Thank you Joshua for the very thoughtful response. I appreciate the cross references and your direct words of encouragement. I look forward to staying in touch.
Hey Brent, in regards to Jn 14:12, one of the greater works that I believe that Christ alluded to that we have the opportunity to do that Christ did not do is to lead others to Him and to accept the work of His redemption. Obviously, this was not done by Christ Himself as he had yet to bring about the Atonement until after His death and ressurrection. The opportunity that we have through the work of the Holy Spirit to lead someone to Him and have them change their eternal destiny is tremendous. We always look at the miracles of the feeding and others as hallmarks that we could only hope to see replicated, but to see someone change their life and submit themselves to Him? Truly that is a miracle that can only be achieved by the power of God, something that we sometimes have the privilage to be apart of and see.
Thank you brother Chris for sharing. Your response helps me a lot.
I think you are right on the mark. Those who believe in Christ Jesus will do greater things because the Spirit is working in them. If you really think about it The Spirit is responsible for the great things Jesus did…it’s not that great of a stretch to think the Spirit can outdo itself. And to be able to do it with us, sinners, only further demonstrates the Spirits power.
Good thoughts indeed. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for your comment on the Full Time Christianity blog. I will resume posting. Thanks for the inspiration.