GREATER WORKS 2/2 (DURAND)

At this point I will, following up on the same subject refer to the words of the dear savior in John 14.12: “Verily, verily, I see unto you, he that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; And greater works than these shall he do; Because I go unto my father.” I have many times been asked for my understanding of this declaration, and have written briefly concerning it in private letters, and once or twice for publication. I think they are to be understood in the light of these examples of the character and work of faith referred to by Paul in the 11th chapter of Hebrews.

Many have tried to discover and explain how believers in Jesus can do such works as he did, and especially how they can do greater works than he did. Those who esteemed the power of men as prominent and paramount in the work of salvation will readily endorse the sentiment that Jesus so started the work of salvation, so laid out his plan, and so instructed his disciples, that they should continually advance in power and effectiveness, and so attain unto results far beyond what Jesus attained to while here. They will illustrate this view by referring to any great enterprise and worldly business, in which the one who begins and establishes the business is far outstripped by those who succeed in prosecuting it, as each successive generation improves upon the old implements, methods, and power. So I heard a preacher say, years ago, “The least Christian now can save more souls than Jesus when on earth, for he only began to work, and laid out the plans, which have been improving and growing ever since.”

This, of course, was consistent with the doctrine that Jesus began the work of salvation and left it for his followers to carry on. Those who regard the subject in this way, do not know anything of the salvation begun and finished by Jesus and revealed unto his people by his Holy Spirit in this gospel dispensation. But sometimes we see those who do know the gospel of God's grace, trying to explain how his people do the same kind of works that Jesus did while he was here in the flesh, and how also they do even greater works than he did.

But the dear savior did not say that those who believed in him should do such works as he did while here in the flesh; Neither did he say that they should do greater works than he did. A comparison of men and their works with Jesus and his works, in this sense of being lesser and greater, is never made by him or his apostles. He speaks of himself being greater than Solomon and Jonah, but only as the reality is greater than the type. He does not compare his works with men's works, nor himself with men, as in the sight and estimation of God, for no man by himself is ever regarded with favor by the father, nor can appear commended before him; Nor are the works of any man but Jesus never accepted and approved by the father. All that appear before God at any time must appear in the name of Jesus, and all that are ever accepted of the Father are accepted with Jesus, and in his perfect, finished work. All who come with any works but his to plead, are pronounced workers of iniquity.

Jesus said of him who believed in him they should do the works that he did; Not works like them, but the very same works. He gave his apostles the power to do miracles, but those are not the works he is Speaking of here. That was a special power that he gave personally to the apostles. Also, there were signs that should follow them that believed in the preaching of the apostles, which were fulfilled and are still fulfilled in a spiritual sense. It is to be remembered that in the name of Jesus, all those wonders were to be done, and in that name, they are still done as signs. But that name must be, not upon the lips, but in the heart, and then the power of it will be manifest. It is not the will of man that is wrought by the power of this name, for by that will he would, like Simon, desire a power for his own gratification; but it is the will of Jesus that is wrought by the power of his name.

The work that Jesus did, and the work that the believer did, were not too similar works, but the same work, as the work of God in closing the lion's mouths and the work of Daniel, who “by faith stop the mouths of lions,” was the same work. It was only upon the believer that Jesus did works of healing. In one place he could do no mighty works because of their unbelief. If some should think that in some sense the faith, and the belief which results from faith, are ours to exercise according to our will, then let him consider why only two since the world began have gone from this world without dying. Surely if faith can be exercised at the will of any man, many, very many, would have been transferred like Enoch, that they should not see death. By faith the eyes of the blind were opened, the ears of the dead were unstopped, the long sick were healed in a moment, the touch of the hem of Jesus' garment caused the issue of blood to be staunched in an instant, and all the wonderful works of Jesus were ex-perienced by the poor and needy. It was his work on their behalf, it was also their work by faith. He ascribes the power and salvation of their faith. “Your faith has saved you,” then he gave that same path. “He is the author and finisher of our faith.” In the case of the dead raised to life, the faith was not in the dead but in those who mourned their death and who received them raised to life again. Martha must acknowledge that she believed before Lazarus could be raised. 

The poor souls who sought the healing power of Jesus did not know of that great riches of faith in them until Jesus told them of it, and showed them its fruit, and it is the same today. The poor lepers who are, in their own soul's experience, at Jesus's feet, acknowledging his power and beseeching his mercy to heal them, do not know that the blessed faith of the son of God is in them. If they had knocked that faith they would not, could not, mourn on account of their sins, nor pray for mercy and healing. They seemed to hear Jesus say, “I am not sent to you, quote quote yet they will worship him and say, “Lord help me.” They may seem to fear him saying, “It is not meant to take the children's bread and give it to the dogs, cold quotes and they will say, that is just what I am, “but the dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from the master's table. I have a crumb and that's all I ask.” Faith was there all the time, urgent, persistent, never failing faith, and the work was done. Jesus did the work, and the poor, believing soul has done it also by that faith which is the gift of God.

Jesus did not say, “he that believes in me shall do greater works than I can do,” but greater works than these that I am doing now. He was still in the flesh, and under the law. The works that he did then were all works that could be seen by men. They were great and wonderful but were only figurative of the greater spiritual works that he must do before he could go on to his father. He must die because of the sins of his people, and thus fulfill the law and destroy death; he must rise from the dead and show his risen body to witnesses chosen before, and then ascend upon high, carrying captivity captive. 

Then when he went on to the Father he would send forth his light and his truth, and lead his people to his holy habitation, the Church of the living God. When he went on to his father then would all his work of salvation be made manifest in his people; and how much greater of these works in bringing his people to acknowledge of himself than the works he did while in the flesh for the healing and comfort of the bodies of his people, only they who have experienced them and know.

To raise one to life again, who had died, is a great work, but how much greater the work when death itself is destroyed, and they who are under its dominion are raised up to die no more. To command the winds and waters to be still, and cause a great calm on the sea that was in terrible commotion, was the work of an infinite God, but it is a greater work to cause peace and quiet in the soul that has been in trouble on account of the storms of wrath against sin. 

To open the eyes of one that was born blind, and to unstop the deaf ears, our great works, but to open the eyes of a poor Sinner spiritually, and unstop his ears, so that he can see the glorious works of salvation for himself, and hear the voice of Jesus declare his sins forgiven, are infinitely greater works, greater as eternity is greater than the short life in time and higher as the heavens are higher than the earth. 

All these greater works of Jesus and his gospel, are works which people do by faith. His works are their works. By faith in his name, the lame walk and leopards are cleansed. By faith, they destroyed death and overcame the world. By faith they resist the devil, and overcome the wicked one period by faith they quench his fiery darts and gain victory through the name of Jesus.

Those who are in the habit of thinking of the Lord's people as doing works in their own name, or as distinct from Jesus, must remember that in all that pertains to salvation, they are one with him, as he became one with them in bearing our sins and suffering in the flesh. The mystery which was hidden from the former ages and dispensations, but is now made manifest in the Saints and the gospel day, “is Christ in them the hope of glory.” It is his power within them by which they work. He works in them both to will and to do his good pleasure his spirit works in them mightily when he will accomplish his will in them. 

Our works are not wrought by us and then submitted to him for judgment, but all our works that are acceptable are wrought in him. All other works are works of the flesh, dead works, works of iniquity, and the judgment which is upon us when Jesus appears those works are condemned. We are condemned for fleshly works, and the fire of God's word burns them up; but we are not praised or rewarded for spiritual works, although there is a sweet reward felt in our souls in them, or to Jesus the praise is due for every good work. By his power and grace, and in his holy name alone, could we ever possibly do good work; therefore to him that thanks abound for them. But always our God is our exceeding great reward, sweetly felt when we are unable to walk in the light of his countenance, but no one had felt to be such also when we walk in darkness and have no light.

What a blessed thing it is to feel this holy oneness with Jesus; to feel that we are accepted with him and in him; To feel from time to time the victory given unto us over every enemy through his dear and blessed name; To feel that we are new creatures in him, not by any work or power of our own, but “the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.”

How blessed and full of delight are these “greater works” of the gospel which are now made manifest to our faith, and becomes ours by faith, to be done by us the need for them comes upon us, because Jesus went into his Father. It is a risen and glorified savior who dwells in the believer, working in him “all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power.” Therefore “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing, that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 

The “greater works” of Jesus are not known by the natural man, who could see the works he did while hearing the flesh, but they are only known as they are manifested in and through poor sinners redeemed by his precious blood, and given faith in his name, by which his power and salvation become theirs experimentally they are hidden from the wise and prudent, and revealed to these babes. It is only by faith, and not by natural sight or wisdom, that these babes see and know these greater works, and they that know Jesus who rocked them, though he dwells in them and walks in them, and will make his strength perfect in their weakness. It is only as flesh and heart fails them from time to time, that they are fully prepared to know and experience that the Lord is the strength of their heart, and their portion forever Psalm 73.26.

Silas H Durand

June 6th, 1900