CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT
by Joni Ames
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In Acts 3, the lame man was healed at the gate called Beautiful. When that happened, the people immediately rushed towards the disciples. This is what happened and what Peter said when he saw it:
"(11) Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. (12) So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" (Acts 3:11-12)
Then Peter went on to explain that Jesus had done it and to give Him the Glory as he said: "And His (Jesus) name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." (Acts 3:16)
They could have really hyped the situation at that point and drew a crowd for weeks! They could have just cried out - "Hurry! Come on over, all of you, and we will lay hands on you and heal you, too!" But the Apostles knew and wanted to make sure that the people knew, the Glory belongs to The Lord!
There were many things that "went on," even while Jesus walked the earth. There were even those who were doing things in His name, who weren't a part of His group or taught by Him! And who knows what their motivation was?! Yet when John told Jesus about it, here is what happened: (38) "John spoke to Him (Jesus), saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." (39) But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me." (40) "For he who is not against us is on our side." (Mark 9:38-40)
Yet, to bring balance, Jesus also warned of a time coming when the world would be awaiting His return and false ministers would take advantage of the people because of the terror upon the earth, and He said, "(19) For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. (20) And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. (21) Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it. (22) For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (23) But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand." (Mark 13:19-23)
The problem is, many do not want to "pay the price" to get discernment or to get the anointing on their own. And I'm not talking about money. Because it can't be purchased. But if we do talk about money, they are plenty willing to pump it out to travel hundreds or thousands of miles to try to get what they think someone else has! But I'm talking about paying the price of relationship with the Lord. We are warned to "get our own oil" in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
Some ministries wear themselves out, doing the whole "show." They forget that Jesus will be the only star! In doing so, they set themselves up for major burn out and/or a big fall. It's pretty simple, in Ephesians 4:11-16, we are told that the five fold ministry is to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. Then, when every part does it's share, it causes growth of the Body. Everyone does the stuff, no one gets burnt out, and the Harvest comes in. - Wow, imagine that! - If we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will add all things to us! (Matt. 6:33)
The Lord never meant for Christianity to be a spectator sport. He called us all to "do our share," and be a living, breathing, working part of the Kingdom. And if we are all doing the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-18) that we are called to do, we won't have to seek after someone else to do it for us! - Therefore we also won't have to wonder if what someone has and is imparting to us is of the Lord or not.
(20) "Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He (Jesus) answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; (21) nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." (22) Then He said to the disciples, "The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. (23) And they will say to you, 'Look here!' or 'Look there!' Do not go after them or follow them." (Luke 17:20-23)
One of my favorite verses in the Bible sums it up. It's all about getting our own oil and being willing to pay the price of relationship with the Lord and the effects of that:
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled...And they realized that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13)
That's it folks. God is no respecter of persons. Spend time with Jesus, and the signs, wonders, and miracles will be yours too.
(15) Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:15-18)
- Joni Ames
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