FAITH vs. MIRACLES? What’s Going On?

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What I love about summer is that I have more time to spend with my nephew. Tonight, our agenda is to to watch the 2013 epic mini-series entitled “The Bible.” I was just amazed with the many questions my nephew raised. I am extremely happy that he shows interest in the Gospel despite his young age. This blog doesn’t only describe our experiences watching together but also shares with you a new revelation I just received from God while watching the episode. The truth is it wasn’t just Shawty who had questions. I, too, had many. And how I’d wish I have an uncle by my side to answer me. But in the absence of an side-uncle, God answered me. Nothing could be much better!

While watching, I asked God why He complicated things for the people. I mean, if Jesus just wanted the people to believe that He’s God, He could have had things fly with a simple levitating hand gesture or spell. He could have also done some bigtime magic tricks like making people disappear, turning people to goats and chickens, and many more! I mean, let’s admit it. It could have been a lot easier. Besides, that’s what the people wanted! They wanted proofs. They wanted some pieces of evidence for their faith. But what did Jesus do? He forgave people. He healed them. He fed them and even raised them from the dead!

I mean, come on. There’s nothing wrong with healing and feeding people. It could have also been some good pieces of evidence for faith. But it’s nothing compared with the sea being parted in halves or fire raining from heaven. So why didn’t Jesus make His ministry more magical and mystical? What’s wrong with Him? People could have been more amazed! People could have believed faster.

But the wisdom of God is unfathomable (Romans 11:34). You see, Jesus didn’t give them what they wanted. Instead, He gave them what they actually needed! What difference does it make? Well, isn’t it when people get what they want, they look for even more? But when get what they need, they stop the search. I believe that the same principle applies. Had Jesus become more magical and mystical, the people could have asked for more signs. But they didn’t. Why? Because they got what they needed. They needed healing, deliverance, food and salvation.

Sometimes, we’re guilty about that. I mean, signs and wonders are a part of our walk as a Christian. But is that what the people need? Don’t they need our love? Don’t they need to hear the Gospel? I believe that signs and wonders are from God and actually witness few with my very own eyes. But we have to understand that signs and wonders are for dummies who can’t believe in God despite everything! It’s like leaving God with no choice. Christians are supposed to live by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). It’s not what we see that we need. It’s what we can believe even if we don’t see it. We don’t need to shake every Sunday during worship service. We don’t need to see vision every time we pray. We don’t need to fall every time we enter into God’s presence. True, they’re not bad signs. They could be from God but the point is: IS THAT WHAT WE ACTUALLY NEED?

In the end, friends, let me emphasize that to live by faith is to live what you can’t see (Hebrews 11:1). If you have been a Christian for a long time and still wants to see people shaking first before believing that God is in your midst, it’s not called living by faith. It’s living by sight.

People don’t need some shaking or falling. They need to hear the Gospel. They need to be discipled. At this point, I’d like to quote Pastor Steve Murrell when he said that “The Holy Spirit doesn’t make us mystical. He makes us missional.”

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