Humankind is made in God’s image, but that does not mean we are made with anywhere even close to His capacity to think or act. In fact, God Himself testifies, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Amen.
Nevertheless, we must try to understand God’s will for us and how to advance His Kingdom, and we work though that process with our own limited thinking. Inevitably, that leads to some level of confusion, because what God instructs us to do is far beyond what we can perceive is even possible. He is not restricted to only viewing the present, or what we are capable of now and of ourselves. He sees the whole of time all at once, including we will be capable of eventually, and what we can do with His Spirit working powerfully working through us.
An example of this is Jesus’ simple and straightforward charge to His disciples; “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.”
On first hearing His charge, one is prone to think it was a misguided joke. Thinking linearly, we see what He is asking the disciples to do as far beyond what is reasonable. For though one might be able to travel, and though one might be able to preach, how can any mere mortal – without medical training and ample supply of remedies – heal the sick? How is it not ridiculous to tell someone to raise dead? How can God expect that a mere man can clease another from leprosy? How could He ask flesh to drive out that which is obviously stronger than any flesh? With a keen knowledge of our own human limitation, we immediately disqualify ourselves from participation in what He instructs.
All too often we conclude that He must’ve been exaggerating. Or perhaps it was misinterpreted – maybe He meant, “Those who go should preach, and sometimes the occasional gift of the supernatural may occur. Do the work of charity.” But Jesus’ command is not meant to be taken lightheartedly, or to be questioned as unreasonable. As all that Jesus said, it is not limited by occasion of time or place, so it is not limited to those who work for charities, or even limited to the apostles or the apostolic age!
Every disciple is called to make other disciples. Every disciple is given the Holy Spirit and the authority of Jesus Christ. We are all meant to be filled with His Spirit and we are all blessed of God with His peace, His presence and His power, and all for that very reason. Therefore, anyone who can describe themselves as having the authority of Christ by the Spirit of Christ is at least as qualified to do the work of fulfilling the mission of God.
If it wasn’t for that fact, we would have seen the Church of Jesus Christ dwindle down and die shortly after the death of the apostles, and the meaning and fulfillment of the Gospel with it. Thank God, that did not happen. We ourselves are the evidence that Jesus’ charge is still valid, and still the primary work of His church!
Your religious life is every day to be a proof that God works impossibilities; your religious life is to be a series of impossibilities made possible and actual by God’s almighty power.
Andrew Murray
APPLICATION: Intentionality
When did you last attempt the impossible at His Word? Are you ready if He calls you to that today?