Exposition of John, Chapter 6 · Verse 18
Verſe 28. Then ſaid they unto him, What ſhall we do, that we might worke the workes of God?
29. Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath ſent.
This exhortation of Chriſt draws out a new queſtion from the hearers; In anſwer to which, Chriſt points out the right way of attaining this ſpiritual food which he hath held out unto them. We are not neceſſarily to conceive that they propound this queſtion in a taunting manner, as if they would declare to Chriſt, that Moſes had commanded them to do works which are acceptable to God, and they did them; and therefore would know what new law he would preſcribe unto them; (though this be not unſuteable to duplicate page duplicate page their diſpoſition which they bring forth, ver. 30, 31, and afterward, and it is very true, that none are worſe to deale with, then they who are ſitten down upon outward performances; every thing they do, putting them ſo far out of Ch…iſts reverence in their own account) but we are rather to conceive, that not being as yet hopeleſſe but Chriſt will ſatisfie their carnal deſires, therefore they keep fair with him, and hearing him ſpeak of labour, which he underſtood chiefly of faith, and of other works, as fruits of faith; they underſtand it only of works according to the doctrine of their Teachers, and therefore deſire to be directed what to work which might be acceptable to God. Chriſt anſwers their queſtion, and leads them to that one work of believing on him, who is ſent of the Father. Whence learn. 1. Men may endure many rubs from Chriſt, and ſeeme to come a great length in tearms of aggreement with him, who yet are unſound, and will never cloſe with him; for, here theſe carnal hearers do quietly digeſt that reproofe, ver. 26. and ſeem to be ſo taken with his offer, as they want only information what to ſet about. 2. Such as reſolve to ſeek Chriſt and things ſpiritual, will need much of Chriſts own direction, how to labour and employ themſelves, for attaining thereof; for, ſo much doth their queſtion import. 3. Men by nature cannot take up the right way of juſtification and ſalvation, as being a myſtery; And particularly, Men by nature do retain ſuch a deep impreſſion of the firſt Covenant of works, and are ſo ignorant of the perfection of the law, and of their own impotency, that they know no way of acceptance before God, but the way of works, and doubt no more of themſelves, but if Chriſt tell them their duty, they will do it; for, ſuch is their principle and bold undertaking here, What ſhall we do, that we might work? that is, tell us, and we ſhall do it. See, Deut. 5.27. Mic 6.6, 7. Rom. 9 31, 32. and 10.3. 4. Men in following the way of happineſſe, muſt not make it their only aime to pleaſe themſelves in what they do, but muſt ſubmit to follow that which pleaſeth God, and which he ſhall enjoyne; for, ſo much do they inſinuate, while they are deſiring to work the works of God; Whereby we are not to underſtand the good works which are, not only commanded, but, wrought by God in his people; for they dream of no need of his working any thing in them; but it is an Hebrew phraſe, which ſignifie…h, works commanded, and acceptable, and pleaſing to God. 5. What ever be mens conceit of their own works; Yet it is only by faith that ſinners come to reconciliation with God, and to enjoy Chriſt to be ſouls food unto them; for, in oppoſition to all their works, he leads them to this one work, that they believe. And his calling it a work, doth not import that faith as a work doth juſtifie, for it is only the hand to receive Chriſt who is our righteouſneſſe. But he gives it this name, ſpeaking in their own tearmes who doated on works, and ſo the doctrine of faith is called a law, Rom. 3.27. becauſe the Jewes boaſted ſo much of the law. And though other duties be required alſo of his people; yet he names this only, becauſe it only embraceth Chriſt for righteouſneſſe and life; it is the only remedy for a ſoul lying under the conſcience of guilt or any difficulties; and, it is through faith that we can do any good work, and that they are accepted, and the imperfections thereof covered. 6. No faith will ſerve mens turn for juſtification and life, but that which cloſeth with, and embraceth Chriſt the Mediatour, as ſent of the Father, by his incarnation and manifeſtation in the fleſh, and by his authorizing of him to exerce that office; for, ſo is here required, that ye believe on him whom he hath ſent. Whereby he warnes men not to reſt on general aſſents to every divine truth, as a faith ſufficient for ſalvation, unleſſe they cloſe with Chriſt; And teacheth, That it is no ſaving faith, to acknowledge and believe in God, where Chriſt is not acknowledged; That it is not enough to profeſſe faith in a Meſſiah (as the Jews did) unleſſe Chriſt be taken up and acknowledged to be that Meſſiah already manifeſted; So 1 Joh 4.2, 3. And, That faith muſt firſt cloſe with Chriſt the Mediatour, by whom it findes acceſſe to God, and comfortable reſting on him. See 1 Pet. 1.21. 7. Such as do upon right tearmes, cloſe with Chriſt as ſent of the Father, and do not only in the general aſſent that he is the true Meſſiah, come in the fleſh, but do heartily cloſe with him as ſuch, and give him the glory of his perſon and offices, and do employ him accordingly; they are about a work acceptable and welpleaſing to God; Therefore it is called the work of God, not ſo much becauſe he works it in his people, (though that be true, Eph. 2 8. and it is not by our works, but his work about us and in us, that we are ſaved) as in their own tearmes, ver. 28. that it is acceptable to him, being commanded by himſelfe, 1 Joh. 3.23. and therefore loſt ſinners need not to be affrayed to make uſe of it.