Amputating Jesus Christ?!

Written by: Andrew Friesen on 6/16/2010

The supernatural is a very popular topic today.  Jesus Christ himself experienced signs and wonders.  Acts 2:22 says, "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst."  Signs and wonders were His credentials for the ministry.  John said in John 21:25, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” How wonderful is the Lord Jesus.  He lived 24/7 in the supernatural and intended for that supernatural lifestyle to be carried right into our our lives today.  This is a word for you.  “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to DO and teach”.  Jesus began to do signs and wonders 2000 years ago and wants you to experience them in your life today.  

Many christians are using certain methods reach people with God’s love thinking that we don’t really need signs and wonders.  They use their own efforts, telling funny jokes, or trying be cool is the key to reaching people with the gospel.  Don’t get me wrong, good jokes and being cool in the right way is fine.  However, to preach a gospel without supernatural signs and wonders is nothing less THAN AMPUTATING OUR PRECIOUS LORD JESUS CHRIST.  Jesus is the Anointed one.  “Jesus went about doing good and HEALING all who were oppressed by the devil.” (Acts 10:37).  Everything about Jesus is miraculous and “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” So to CUT OUT the signs and wonders from the gospel message is to CUT OFF the arms and legs of Jesus Christ and hinder the world from seeing the real Jesus.      

The Apostle Paul’s methods were the same as Jesus.  “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and DEED, to make the gentiles obedient in mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God.” (Romans 15:18-19)

People have told me, “Oh but you have the gift of healing”.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Now it’s true that God uses some people in certain areas more than others.  However, the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 are just that.  Gifts of the SPIRIT.  We do not posses these gifts and wear them like medals of honor.  The gifts of the Spirit are not medals of honor but TOOLS for the job. If you need to put a nail through the wall, the best tool will most likely be a hammer.  We can always trust the Holy Spirit to give us the right tools at the right time.  He is faithful!  Hallelujah!  Nothing less than the preaching of the gospel followed by mighty signs and wonders will save this generation.  It pulls people to Christ like a magnet.  Signs are not signs of SAINTS.  Rather, they are signs of GOD.  They’re the finger print of God that point people to the loveliness and beauty of Jesus Christ.  Only He can save.  Signs and wonders will flow through you as you focus on Jesus and trust the Holy Spirit.  

Having said all that, it’s important to note that although signs and wonders are essential and normal to the christian experience, they are not everything.  Salvation from sin is the greatest miracle.  "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." John 20:30-31.  Your thoughts?  -Andrew