Jesus Christ did not save us to live mediocre lives or settle for less than the purpose for which He has called us. He saved us to manifest His power, bear fruit and make a lasting impact in the world.
In John 14:12, Jesus declares that whoever believes in Him will do the works He has been doing and even greater works. This remarkable promise is not reserved for a select group of believers, such as apostles, prophets or pastors. It is for everyone who believes in Him.
However, an important question confronts us: Are we truly demonstrating the faith we profess? Many Christians confess their faith with their mouths but fail to demonstrate it through their actions. Yet, genuine faith must go beyond words; it must find expression in the way we live.
WHAT WE MUST UNDERSTAND ABOUT FAITH
1. FAITH MUST BE A LIFESTYLE
There is a difference between having faith and living by faith. Many people talk about faith, sing about it and quote Scripture about it, yet struggle to translate what they profess into practical action.
Faith is not established by confession alone; it is demonstrated through our actions. To live by faith means allowing our trust in God to influence our decisions, responses and daily conduct, even when circumstances appear contrary to His promises.
Faith must therefore become our way of life, not merely something we profess when we are in church or confronted with challenges.
2. FAITH DEMANDS RISK AND OBEDIENCE
The account of the widow and the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 4:1–7 provides a powerful illustration of faith in action. Faced with financial difficulties and the threat of losing her sons to a creditor, the widow received an unusual instruction from the prophet: she was to borrow empty vessels from her neighbours and pour the little oil she had into them.
She obeyed, and the oil continued flowing until every available vessel was filled.
The miracle was not simply in the oil or the instruction given by the prophet; it was also demonstrated through the widow’s obedience and willingness to act on the word she had received.
Imagine borrowing empty vessels when you have only a little oil at home. To an observer, such an action might have appeared unreasonable or even foolish. Yet, she acted because she believed the instruction and was willing to obey.
The oil did not begin to flow into the vessels until she started pouring. Her obedience became the expression of her faith.
This teaches us that faith sometimes requires us to take steps that may not make sense to our human understanding. We cannot claim to trust God while refusing to act on His instructions. Sometimes, the breakthrough we are praying for is preceded by an act of obedience.
Consider also Peter’s experience of walking on water in Matthew 14:28–33. When Peter saw Jesus walking on the sea, he asked the Lord to command him to come. Jesus simply responded, “Come.”
Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water, not because he possessed supernatural abilities of his own, but because he acted on the word of Jesus.
His experience reminds us that faith requires us to move beyond our comfort zones and respond to God’s Word, even when the circumstances appear impossible.
3. FAITH FOR GREATER WORKS REQUIRES TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON GOD
Living by faith requires an unwavering dependence on God. Sometimes, what God asks us to do may not make sense to our human understanding. Nevertheless, faith teaches us to rely on His wisdom rather than allow our limited understanding to determine what is possible.
This does not mean abandoning sound reasoning or proper planning. Rather, it means recognising that God’s power, wisdom and ability are far greater than our human limitations.
Peter’s experience on the water illustrates this truth. As long as he kept his attention on Jesus, he was able to walk on the sea. However, when he shifted his focus to the wind and became afraid, he began to sink (Matthew 14:28–31).
The lesson is clear: our circumstances must never become greater in our eyes than the God in whom we have placed our trust.
If we are going to accomplish greater works, we must learn to depend completely on God. We must not allow fear, uncertainty or our perceived limitations to weaken our confidence in His ability to work through us.
4. GREATER WORKS REQUIRE GREATER EXPRESSION OF FAITH
In John 14:12, Jesus makes a remarkable declaration: “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these…”
What exactly are these greater works?
Greater works do not necessarily mean performing miracles that are greater in power or significance than those performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry. Rather, the promise points to the greater scope and reach of the work that would be accomplished through believers following His death, resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Through the spread of the Gospel, more people would be reached, transformed and brought into the Kingdom of God. The impact of Christ’s ministry would extend beyond the geographical boundaries of His earthly ministry to the nations of the world.
This calls for believers to move beyond merely professing faith to actively demonstrating it through evangelism, service, love, obedience and the use of the gifts God has entrusted to them.
Jesus deliberately used the expression “whoever believes” to emphasise that this promise is not restricted to a privileged few. Every believer has a responsibility to participate in God’s work.
The question, therefore, is not whether we have heard about greater works, but whether our faith is producing the kind of action that advances God’s Kingdom and impacts lives.
CONCLUSION
Faith is not simply believing that God can do something; it is trusting Him enough to act on His Word. It is demonstrated when we obey despite uncertainty, step out despite fear and remain dependent on God despite the challenges before us.
Matthew 17:20 (KJV) declares:
“For verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
God has called us to a life of fruitfulness and greater impact. However, we cannot experience the full expression of this calling if our faith remains confined to words and declarations.
Let us, therefore, move from merely talking about faith to living it. Let our obedience demonstrate our trust in God, let our actions reflect our convictions, and let our lives become testimonies of His power.
Greater works begin when we put our faith into action!
Written By Deaconess Audrey Owusu Banahene | PMKY Worship Center