I read something extremely interesting the other day and I would like to share it. It goes along with the scripture Exodus 32:1-33:6. I have struggled with this contemporary approach and this pretty much sums up why.
"There are people who think they could believe in God, believe in God more strongly, or continue to believe in God if only He would do a miracle for them. There is even a contemporary approach to evangelism known popularly as the "signs and wonders movement" that teaches that the way to get people's attention and win them to Christ is by a miraculous display of God's power in healing diseases and driving out demons. Although God can and sometimes does do miracles, that is not the way people come to faith. What is needed in salvation is not external displays of power, but that inner change known as rebirth or regeneration, which happens as the Word of God is taught in the power of the Spirit of God. The Spirit and the Word work together."
Inner change, not external displays of power. Amen!
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ReplyDeleteI agree that external displays of power do not necessarily result in salvation. But then again neither does the "Romans Road" or any other gospel tract. I think the signs and wonders movement is a way to expose people to a God they thought died when the canon was closed. It's a way to SHOW them that God loves them instead of just telling them. It's like giving them flowers on Valentine's Day instead of just a letter.
ReplyDeleteSharing your faith in the line at the grocery store is one way God moves. Healing a broken leg (or a broken heart) is another. It's a tangible experience a person can take home. It's an ebenezer they can point to, a statue of stones they can look at when life gets hard to remember that God still loves them and wants to move in their life.
I don't believe that the way to get someone's attention is through signs and wonders necessarily. I believe loving without an agenda is first and foremost the most important component of any kind of evangelism. However, Paul talks about not coming with eloquent words but with a demonstration of power. What if someone who was healed of cancer or HIV was prayed for and healed? They would certainly see God's love for them demonstrated through that miracle. And they would certainly be more open to hearing how much God loves them.
ReplyDelete"He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." Matthew 10:1
"And as you go, preach this message: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:7-8
In Acts 1:8 the word "witness" means not only to verbally provide an account of, but to also confirm with actions or to provide evidence of the things you are speaking.
To me, supernatural things are part of God's nature. They are inseparable. And sometimes God wants to do things just to bless people. And that's awesome that we have a God that just wants to show up and love. We are called to do "greater things" than Jesus did (John 14:12), and I think that includes supernatural things.
Read How people grow by Henry Cloud and Townsend. It addresses this issue. It basically says in a more beautiful way than I could ever rehash here, that God lives among us and we are the people of his church, therefore he wants miracles/healings/love to come from each other. It isn't a miracle zap that we are supposed to wait for, but through the interaction between christians and others that we touch each other and change each other and help each other. He is a God of relationships. Cool huh?
ReplyDelete:) http://dashtodebtfreedom.blogspot.com