John 14:12 New King James Version (NKJV)
“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.”
This is the normal Christian life; living like Jesus by flowing in the fruit and power of the Spirit. Sadly, many Christians aren’t living as Jesus lived. They may be trying to live good lives but they’re not living powerful lives. There are even some who are trying to live powerful lives but they’re not living good lives. Christians should be living like Jesus in character and power, and it shouldn’t take a lot of effort! Jesus didn’t say that you’ll be able to do the same works as He did and even greater works because you’re trying really hard! The Christian life should not be one of striving and effort but of faith and rest.
Galatians 2:20 King James Version (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.”
You are dead and Jesus is living in you and Jesus is living through you! In John 14:12, Jesus said that the reason we would be able to do the same works and even greater works was that we believe on Him. It’s really just a matter of faith and not a matter of effort. Faith should not be an effort. If you want to live like Jesus lived, if you want to see the dead raised, if you want to calm the storms of life, see the miraculous provision and things working out better than they would naturally, then all it takes is faith. God doesn’t reward good people with miracles – having this wrong mindset (belief) will prevent us from experiencing the supernatural power of God! Too many Christians believe that only good Christians can experience the power of God or experience healing and that God rewards you with healing because you are just such a good person. But that is not true! Faith is the only reason anyone would ever experience a miracle; whether it’s faith in the person receiving or faith in a person on behalf of someone else. It’s not a matter of holiness and it’s not a matter of performance. God doesn’t reward you with a miracle because you read your Bible more than anyone else! Many people know the Word back to front but they do not know the Living Word (Jesus). The difference between receiving a miracle and not is faith. And I know that by saying that, many people automatically feel condemned or burdened because you think I am blaming you! There are many reasons why we don’t see things working out the way they should workout. I’m not condemning you. I haven’t always seen what I should see and so I am not wanting you to feel condemned. I’m here to liberate you and help you to see that knowing the truth of the Word will set you free: God’s power is available to you! God is not withholding anything good from you! He loves you!
Romans 1:16 New King James Version (NKJV”)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…”
If you believe then you can access the power of God. If you just believe. It’s not saying that you have to live holy; it’s saying that all you need if faith. Faith enables you to see the miracle-working power of God. You can access Salvation by faith. Salvation isn’t just about going to heaven; the Greek word for salvation is “Sozo” which is defined as healed, delivered, prospered, made whole. Let’s just focus on the “wholeness” part for a moment. Salvation is wholeness in every area of your life. It doesn’t mean that you’re not going to have troubles in your life; the Christian life is not trouble-free, it’s troubled-free! You will have troubles come your way but you don’t have to be troubled by them because you’re trusting God! Salvation is a package that includes wholeness in your life – in your heart (emotions), in relationships finances, health and more! God wants you to experience wholeness in every area of your life, but it is only available to those who believe. You will receive when you believe, but if you doubt you’ll go without!
You might be saying that you do believe, and just haven’t seen your miracle or the manifestation of what you’re trusting for. Maybe you’re still waiting to experience your healing? This is the purpose of this series! We’re dealing with this to help you grow in your faith; to help you grow in your understanding of the Word so that you can see the results that the Word talks about.
Romans 10:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
You cannot expect to operate in faith if you have a deficiency of the Word of God in your life. No Word will result in no faith or very weak faith. You cannot have faith without the Word. Someone may have had an experience but faith cannot be born from experience; faith cannot be built on experience because experiences come and go, but the Word of God is our constant. Heaven and earth will pass away but God’s word will not pass away (Matthew 24:35). If we want to operate in great faith like Jesus did, then we have to be hearing the Word. In context, that’s talking about the gospel; what Jesus has done for us and freely offers us. You need to be hearing the good news of what Jesus has done for you and is freely offering you. It needs to take root in your heart. Then what’s going to happen is that faith will be born and it will be strengthened. Then you will be able to release your faith and see results!
If you think you’ve been doing this, and yet you’re still not seeing results I want to encourage you not to blame God. “Let God be true…” and everything else a lie (Romans 3:4). Assume that you’ve missed something because you aren’t perfect. Go back to the drawing board and dig deeper into the Word! Keep digging in and allow the Word to take root in your heart. You’re not doubting the Word but you’re just going to go back into the Word and re-establish your heart in the truth of His Word!
Whatever situation you’re facing, today, I encourage you to get into the Word concerning that issue. If you’re facing a health challenge focus on the scriptures about healing. Meditate on them, focus on them, listen to them, read them, put them up in your home and all over the place so that you are constantly filling yourself with the Word. As you meditate on it and as you continue to receive it in your heart, faith will start to grow and enable you to receive what God has freely provided for you.