The enemy of great

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father (John 14:12).

As we prepare for the New Year, people around the world will be making resolutions. We take this opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed, and think about the things we would like to do differently for the year ahead. It’s our nature to want to fix those areas where we have fallen short and to improve where we believe we can do better.

In John 14, Jesus reassures us that we do have the ability to be greater than we are now. He promises His disciples that they will not only be able to do the good works he has done, but those even greater. Of course, there is an important catch – we will not be able to do this by our own will or with our own strength. The ability to do greater is available only to those who believe and trust in Jesus. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13).

We see this same promise, in another form, in the Gospel of Matthew. Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen (Matt 21:12). I believe that this scripture shows us another important truth about this promise. Jesus wants us to command the mountains to move; His focus is on the ‘much more’ rather than the ‘like this’.

As believers in Christ, we are called to greater works. I don’t want to imply that there is anything wrong with doing good, but we should always be striving towards greater. I know in my own walk, it has been easy to feel satisfied with doing good rather than taking the risk to achieve great things for God. Good becomes the tool of the enemy to keep us from truly harnessing the power promised to us to advance His kingdom. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy (John 16:24).

Are you working for great or settling for good?

The enemy of great

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father (John 14:12).

As we prepare for the New Year, people around the world will be making resolutions. We take this opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed, and think about the things we would like to do differently for the year ahead. It’s our nature to want to fix those areas where we have fallen short and to improve where we believe we can do better.

In John 14, Jesus reassures us that we do have the ability to be greater than we are now. He promises His disciples that they will not only be able to do the good works he has done, but those even greater. Of course, there is an important catch – we will not be able to do this by our own will or with our own strength. The ability to do greater is available only to those who believe and trust in Jesus. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13).

We see this same promise, in another form, in the Gospel of Matthew. Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen (Matt 21:12). I believe that this scripture shows us another important truth about this promise. Jesus wants us to command the mountains to move; His focus is on the ‘much more’ rather than the ‘like this’.

As believers in Christ, we are called to greater works. I don’t want to imply that there is anything wrong with doing good, but we should always be striving towards greater. I know in my own walk, it has been easy to feel satisfied with doing good rather than taking the risk to achieve great things for God. Good becomes the tool of the enemy to keep us from truly harnessing the power promised to us to advance His kingdom. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy (John 16:24).

Are you working for great or settling for good?

The enemy of great

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father (John 14:12).

As we prepare for the New Year, people around the world will be making resolutions. We take this opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed, and think about the things we would like to do differently for the year ahead. It’s our nature to want to fix those areas where we have fallen short and to improve where we believe we can do better.

In John 14, Jesus reassures us that we do have the ability to be greater than we are now. He promises His disciples that they will not only be able to do the good works he has done, but those even greater. Of course, there is an important catch – we will not be able to do this by our own will or with our own strength. The ability to do greater is available only to those who believe and trust in Jesus. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13).

We see this same promise, in another form, in the Gospel of Matthew. Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen (Matt 21:12). I believe that this scripture shows us another important truth about this promise. Jesus wants us to command the mountains to move; His focus is on the ‘much more’ rather than the ‘like this’.

As believers in Christ, we are called to greater works. I don’t want to imply that there is anything wrong with doing good, but we should always be striving towards greater. I know in my own walk, it has been easy to feel satisfied with doing good rather than taking the risk to achieve great things for God. Good becomes the tool of the enemy to keep us from truly harnessing the power promised to us to advance His kingdom. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy (John 16:24).

Are you working for great or settling for good?