By En-Joy Ministries

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth 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.”— John 14:12 (KJV)

What an extraordinary promise from Jesus! As believers, we are not only called to follow Christ but to live as vessels of His power, doing the same works He did—and even greater ones. This is not a distant hope but a present reality for those who believe. God has created us anew, filled us with His Spirit, and sent us into the world to reveal His Son through our lives. Let’s explore what it means to live as God’s new creation, transformed and empowered to reflect His righteousness, holiness, and love.

Created by God: A New Humanity

The journey to living out this promise begins with a transformation of our identity. The Bible calls us to shed our old selves and embrace the new person God has created us to be: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
— Ephesians 4:22-24 (KJV)

As the Message translation puts it, this is “a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you” (Ephesians 4:24, MSG). This renewal is not superficial—it’s a complete renovation of our minds and hearts. We are called to think like the new creation God has made us, righteous and holy, crafted in His image.

Consider the story of Saul’s transformation into Paul (Acts 9). Once a persecutor of the church, Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his life was radically changed. He didn’t just change his behavior; his entire identity was renewed. He became a new man, created to reflect God’s righteousness and carry His message to the Gentiles. Like Paul, we are called to put off the old self—our former ways of thinking and living—and put on the new self, designed to resemble God Himself.

Scripture affirms this truth:
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”— 1 John 3:7 (KJV)

We are not merely patched-up versions of our old selves. We are a new humanity, created by God to reflect His righteousness and holiness, just as Adam was made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). But unlike Adam, who fell into sin, we are fashioned after the perfect pattern of Jesus Christ, our elder brother: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” — Romans 8:29 (KJV)

A Dwelling Place for God

This new creation is so holy, so sanctified, that God Himself chooses to make His home in us. The Bible declares: “In whom ye also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” — Ephesians 2:22 (KJV)

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” — 1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV)

 “But Christ as a Son over his own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”— Hebrews 3:6 (KJV)

Imagine that—the Almighty God, who revealed Himself through Jesus Christ, now dwells in you! Just as the temple in the Old Testament was a sacred place for God’s presence, you are now His temple, a living sanctuary where His Spirit resides. This is the proof of Jesus’ resurrection: He is alive, revealing Himself through His body, the church.

Think of the early church in Acts 2. After receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the disciples went from fearful followers to bold witnesses, performing miracles, preaching with power, and demonstrating God’s love. Peter, who once denied Jesus, stood before thousands, proclaiming Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2:14-41). This is the same Spirit living in you, empowering you to reveal Christ’s love, hope, and healing to the world.

United with Christ: The Vine and the Branches

Our union with Christ is at the heart of this calling. The Bible teaches that we are not separate from Him but one with Him: “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?… But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” — 1 Corinthians 6:15, 17 (NKJV)

The Living Bible puts it vividly: “If you give yourself to the Lord, you and Christ are joined together as one person” (1 Corinthians 6:17). Jesus Himself used the analogy of a vine and branches to describe this intimate connection:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” — John 15:5 (KJV)

Just as the branch draws life from the vine, everything that is in Christ—His power, His righteousness, His anointing—flows into us. The apostle Paul captures this mystery: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” — Colossians 2:9-10 (KJV)

The Amplified Bible expands on this: “For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form… In Him you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature” (Colossians 2:9-10, AMP). When you have Christ, you have everything! You are filled with God Himself through your union with Jesus.

Sent by God to Do His Works

This union empowers us to fulfill Jesus’ promise in John 14:12. God has not only created us anew but also sent us into the world with the same mission and anointing as Jesus: “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” — John 17:18 (KJV)

The word “as” means in the same way—with the same power, authority, and Spirit that Jesus had. He was the “Anointed One” (Christ), filled with the Spirit without measure (John 3:34). And now, He equips us to do His works:

“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 (NKJV)

Consider the miracles of Jesus—Healing the sick (Mark 5:25-34), raising the dead (John 11:43-44), and feeding thousands (Matthew 14:13-21). These were not just displays of power but demonstrations of God’s love and compassion. As His body, we are called to continue these works, revealing His heart through acts of love, divine healing, and hope.

 The early church lived this out. In Acts 3, Peter and John healed a lame man at the temple gate, declaring, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). This miracle opened doors for the gospel, showing that Jesus’ power was alive in His followers. God has given us the same Spirit, the same anointing, to do His works today.

Christ in You: The Hope of Glory

How do we live out this calling? By recognizing that Christ lives in us:

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:27 (KJV)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

When you received Jesus, He came to dwell in you by His Spirit (John 1:12). Has Jesus lost any of His power since His resurrection? Absolutely not! The same power that raised Him from the dead now lives in you (Romans 8:11). You are His body, His temple, His branches—created, filled, and sent to reveal His glory.

A Call to Action

En-Joy Ministries, let us embrace our identity as God’s new creation. Let us put off the old self, renew our minds, and live as the righteous, holy people God has made us. Let us walk in union with Christ, confident that His power flows through us to do His works—bringing hope, healing, and love to a hurting world.

Reflect on this: Are you living as the temple of God, revealing Christ’s love and power? Are you believing Jesus’ promise that you can do His works—and even greater ones? Today, step out in faith, knowing that Christ in you is the hope of glory.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us anew in Christ, righteous and holy, to be Your dwelling place. Fill us with Your Spirit and empower us to do the works of Jesus, revealing Your love and glory to the world. Renew our minds and help us live as Your new creation, united with Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. What “old self” habits or thoughts do you need to put off to fully embrace your new identity in Christ?
2. How can you reveal Christ’s love and power in your daily life—through acts of kindness, prayer, or sharing the gospel?
3. What greater works is God calling you to do in your community or sphere of influence?

Let’s live as God’s new creation, filled with His Spirit and sent to do His works!