06/09/2012 - POWER OR GODLINESS

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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 3:12

The promises made by the Lord Jesus will always be confirmed as long as you believe in His commands and use your authority with faith. Those who decide to do the divine work will see that God is ready to answer whatever His servants ordain as long as they act in His Name. Such promptness began when He stated that those who believed in Him would perform the same works He did (John 14:12).

The healing of the crippled man upon the Apostle Peter’s command was an attitude of faith. He answered the man, who was asking alms from him. Peter then said he had neither gold nor silver but would give the man what he had. Next, he commanded that lame man to stand up and walk in the Name of Jesus. Peter was acting based on the statement made by His Master who had assured him that whatever was asked in His Name He would do it Himself. Then, what nobody had ever done until that moment ended up taking place.

People, astonished at that event, ran together to the apostle as if he were somebody special. Because he knew that work had not been done due to his own merit, Peter asked why they had marvelled. All servants of God must be aware of this fact: the Father may use them to do amazing deeds but they must never take to themselves the glory that belongs to the only One who does wonders.

Everybody was looking intently at Peter and John on account of what had just happened, so the apostle asked them why they were staring. Those who are used by the Lord must be honest and must also avoid receiving the praise for something special they might have done. Our consecration, however great it might be, won’t cause the power of God to act in someone’s life, but only the will of God. The glory belongs to the Most High and must always be given to Him.

Peter declared that it was not by their own power that they had made that man walk. In fact, it will never be by anybody’s own power, or by any church or religion, that blessings will be granted to those who suffer. The power that produces conversion, healing or any other wonders belongs to the Lord and He does the work as He pleases. Woe to those who pose as powerful or special. Now, the truth is that all the saved ones, those who live in holiness, can be used to fulfil the divine work.

Godliness is necessary; not our own but the Lord’s. The most sought-after godliness isn’t a product of someone’s will or effort; it’s a product of the Spirit of God. As Jesus prayed for us to be sanctified He said that it would only be done by His truth (John 17:17). Those who try to sanctify themselves through different ways are always facing a dilemma because they cannot get of rid temptation no matter how hard they try. Holiness is an exclusive work of the Lord done by the Word of God.

For us to truly live in the presence of the Most High, we have to forget everything that is taught by religions. Only those who learn from the Word manage to live their lives in holiness. Without the sanctification done by the Lord nobody will ever be used by Him. Definitely, there won’t be the slightest possibility for us to achieve power or holiness to operate in the Name of the Lord unless we are helped by Him. Therefore, by following His directions we’ll be used in the work assigned by God to us.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares