Now let us look at works in general.
“They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.””
John 6:28-29 NLT
Jews were the works people. They believed that their works shall secure them the entry into to the Kingdom of Heaven. So it is not surprising that they would ask this question.
This is the reply Jesus gave them:
“Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.””
John 6:29 NLT
““Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”
Matthew 7:21-23 NLT
Notice how these people looked to their works – as having some merit, as if these works entitled them to the Kingdom of Heaven. That is a sure tell-tale sign, that these works were of a wrong kind. A kind that produces boasting. Done by human effort. We see how quick they were to point out to their works – implying that these works show them as good and worthy. But notice in the last few words the Lord said: “But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”
Matthew 7:23 NLT
“You who break God’s laws”. Oh dear.
In that first quote I have written above, Jesus said: “This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent,” some people embraced that. Seeing the works and miracles of Jesus, they approved. They hang around and even in the name of Jesus cast out some devils. Also they pointed out to their prophesying, and some other ‘wonderful’ works. Thousands were following Jesus. It felt good to be associated with someone so famous. So they jumped onto Jesus’ bandwagon. But it looks like they didn’t want to go all-the-way with Him. They kept the work on their own hearts isolated. They kept their hearts to themselves. They continued to live in iniquity as before, taking only the ‘glamorous’ things from Him. Have they misunderstood Jesus’ words: “This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent”? Only believe? Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
But Jesus said: Not everyone who just ‘only believe’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Yes. Obedience is needed. Doing what God says is needed.
““Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.””
Matthew 7:24-27 NLT
‘Doing’ is expected.
“he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:5 NLT
Even if the works of righteousness we did were genuine, are we saved by such works of righteousness? Clearly not. Does that mean that we should neglect the works of righteousness? Certainly not.
“Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’”
Matthew 25:11-12 NLT
These virgins were like the other. They had the same garments, they had the same lamps, they were here waiting for the Bridegroom like the others did. But it looks they neglected something, something which needed to be done. The consequence of this neglect for them was catastrophic.
Only by faith In Christ can one do the works of God.
“But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.””
John 3:21 NLT
Here is how some other translators express this Bible verse of John 3:21:
“… because they want others to know that God is really the one doing what they do.”
John 3:21 CEV
“… so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.””
John 3:21 BSB
“… for the Light will reveal that it was God who produced their fruitful works.””
John 3:21 TPT
“… The light will show clearly that he has been doing what is right. Everyone can see that he has been obeying God.”
John 3:21 EASY
This is in the context of John 3:16.
This is how Jesus’ works were done.
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.”
John 14:10-11 NKJV
Yes. The works are the result of our union with Jesus.