18/08/2022 - POWER GIVEN TO MEN

• 
• 
• 
• 

Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.  Matthew 9.8

We are yet to discover the meaning of the authority given to us in the baptism in the Holy Spirit: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1.8). We are Jesus’ witnesses; therefore, we have been given the power to do the same works He did when He was here!

Why did the crowd marvel? Did Jesus sing well, was He a perfect preaching artist, did He speak eloquently, or did He dress in the latest fashion and have a charming smile? It is in the Bible that when He looked at the paralytic, He told him that his sins were forgiven, but the scribes reasoned among themselves that He was blaspheming (Matthew 9.1-3). Religious people are unaware of the greatness of God!

The Master asked them the reason for that thought: For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? (Matthew 9.5). Those scribes thought it was easier to forgive sins, because they were hypocrites. So, according to them, Christ did the hardest thing, telling the man to get up and walk. He still acts that way!

Those who are ignorant of the Truth like to lie to the people. Some ask the person to confess their sins and based on what serves no purpose – religious faith and the decision of the “councils” – tells them to say a prayer to be forgiven. In fact, they speak without any embarrassment: “Your sins are forgiven”. But when they see the paralytic walking, they are all amazed. He is God!

The heavenly Father needs to be glorified in our days, with true praise coming from the lips of those who witness the same wonders being performed. It is impossible to affirm that what has happened is from God before examining it in the light of the Word. To operate, faith only needs that a person believes in the revelation of the Lord. God has power to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, because He has given us of His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:20).

The crowd praised God, glorifying Him as He should be glorified – through His works. Believe like Jesus and act in the same way He did. All He did was to give us the example we needed, so that the Almighty would work (John 13.15). As long as we stand still, without doing His work, the world will continue marching towards perdition. We need to be bold in love and faith!

The Lord has given power to men who believe in Him and serve Him wholeheartedly. The Master’s works must be done in our midst. When people discover the inability of the devil and demons to withstand the Name of Jesus, an avalanche of faith will shake the four corners of the planet. We are the witnesses of the Most High. Watch, pray and believe!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares