"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2
So, what hinders us from seeing more of the works He did and the greater works that He promised we would do because He has gone to the Father? The key is truly believing in Him, not just mentally resigning ourselves, or making verbal confessions, but having a deeply settle assurance in our hearts that cannot be shaken. God is God and His Word is Truth.
Hear what Jesus said!
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." John 14:12
Most assuredly = with the greatest confidence, expectation, and absolute certainty
I say to you = Jesus speaks this directly to the disciples, personally, individually, and precisely
he who believes in Me = the one who believes in Jesus, without doubt or question, firmly persuaded that Jesus is who He says He is and what He says is true
the works that I do = the same works that Jesus did and were witnessed to by His disciples and works that He did that they did not see, all the works that He did
he will do also = he, the one who believes in Him will also do those same works
and greater works than these = by all magnitude, and all measures of significance, impact, and effect, greater than
he will do = an assurance, a prophecy, a statement of future fact, and certainty
This is the mind of Christ, and we access it by absolute faith in Him; no doubts, no fears, no timidity, no apology, but bold confidence and unwavering faith in Him.
When we move by His Word, when we take our stand on His Word, when we look unto Jesus, as the author and finisher of our faith, when we step out in faith in Him to resist temptation, or when we act boldly even when we risk losing, failing, or falling, in all these moments we please Him by our faith, and we make room for His glory to manifest at even greater dimensions on our behalf.
This is not an instant-snap-your-finger-and-wave-a-magic-wand kind of faith. This is the faith we grow in the knowledge of over time, one step at time.
The foundation, the motivation, the power to live by this faith is LOVE; Not so much emotional feeling, though emotion is involved indeed to be fervent in it, but this love is more a matter of decision and determination not to be persuaded otherwise.
The renewed mind equips us for whatever this world throws at us or whatever temptation the devil attempts to use against us, to distract us from our purpose and diminish our force of righteousness. But by our faith in God, in His WORD) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony we win the battle over him.
Faith pleases God, righteousness pleases God, obedience pleases God. Sacrifices and offerings are acceptable when they are given not out of coercion, or duty, or demand, but from the heart.
The mind of Christ is the mind of Power, Love, and Soundness. It is the mind of Wisdom and Understanding, the mind of Compassion and Grace, the mind of Generosity and Gratitude, the mind of Obedience to God, the mind of Yielded-ness to the Holy Spirit, the mind of Faith, Joy, and Peace.
As living sacrifices, we have an immense empowerment from God to live as His ministers to the world, to proclaim His Word, demonstrate His power and glorify Him in the eyes of all by our good works shining as light before all.
To God be the glory!