How can we discern true works of God in our lives today? Grounding our Discernment: John 10:37 “If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me.” Jesus sets a simple measuring stick: works that truly come from God will line up with the Father’s character, purpose, and power. That same test guides us today. Marks of the Father’s Hand • Alignment with Scripture – God never contradicts Himself (Psalm 119:160). – Works or impressions that dispute biblical truth are automatically disqualified. • Exaltation of Christ – “He will glorify Me” (John 16:14). – Genuine works spotlight the Savior, not the performer. • Fruit of the Spirit – Love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23). – God’s works produce godly character, not chaos or self-promotion. • Righteous Motives and Methods – “The wisdom from above is first pure… peaceable, gentle…” (James 3:17). – Ends never justify unscriptural means. • Enduring Results – “You will recognize them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16). – Over time, true works build faith, holiness, and unity. Practical Steps for Testing 1. Compare with clear biblical teaching (Acts 17:11). 2. Pray for illumination by the Spirit who authored Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). 3. Seek counsel from mature believers (Proverbs 11:14). 4. Observe long-term fruit rather than immediate excitement (John 15:8). 5. Hold fast to what is good, reject what is evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Why This Matters • Protects us from deception (1 John 4:1). • Guards Christ’s reputation in a skeptical world (Titus 2:10). • Strengthens assurance as we see the Father actively working among His people (Philippians 1:6). Living it Out Today • Stay rooted in daily Bible intake so counterfeit signals are obvious. • Celebrate authentic stories that clearly meet Christ’s standard—testimony fuels faith. • Keep watch over personal attitudes and ministries, asking, “Would Jesus point to this and say, ‘These are My Father’s works’?” The closer we stay to the Shepherd’s voice and example, the clearer His authentic works become. |
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