“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”
– Acts 10:38
This same Jesus of Nazareth, the risen and eternal Lord Jesus, now resides in all those who believe in Him. And we go around doing good and healing all who are oppressed by the devil, for God is with us.
Or do we? For many of us, we do not yet realize the great potential of Christ now living our lives.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
– Galatians 2:20
Do you see the amazing glory in Paul’s encouragement? The same Spirit that lived in Jesus of Nazareth is the same Spirit that lives in you! And we know that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8. His purpose as a man in this world has not changed – to destroy the works of the devil and to bring all men from darkness to Light and to the love of our Father. And He is still in this world as a human being – in you!
Even as we have died with Christ through His cross, we are now alive in Him through His resurrection. We now live His life, and we now live His purpose.
And we go around doing good and healing all who are oppressed by the devil, for God is with us.
Unfortunately we talk ourselves out of living His purpose because our faith is weak. Where we should be interceding on behalf of others, opening their eyes to the truth and freeing them from sickness and oppression, we still wonder if it’s actually possible to walk in the path of our Lord. What if we fail? What if we didn’t understand properly? What if our faith fails?
Our answer is, your faith can only fail when it isn’t used. Try. Step out and intercede. Offer to pray for someone for help, or healing, or freedom. What you are doing is allowing Christ to live through you. Ask the Father for His grace, tell the sick body to be healed, command oppressive spirits to be silent and depart, and invite the person you are interceding for to see the love of God for them. Christ, Whose commands were obeyed 2,000 years ago is our eternal King with all authority. His commands are still obeyed, and more so, and He is alive and active through your act of faith – you tried. You stepped out.
And (you) go around doing good and healing all who are oppressed by the devil, for God is with (you).
Remember that this new life you live is by faith. Christ does indeed live in you, and when you step out and try He lives through you as well. Your act of trust allows the Lord to honour your requests and your commands in His name. Step out and try. It’s an uncertain and frightening step when every experience you know as a human being says you won’t make a difference because life is life – it happens. But step out and try. Let Christ live through you and soon your experiences will be radically changed as you see His faithfulness proven time and again. Step out and try.
But how do I know that the Lord wants to heal someone or free them from an oppression? Allow Him to lead you. If you see someone hurting and the desire rising within you is to help them, that is Jesus inspiring your compassion and desire. Step out and try.
But what it I’m not feeling inspired? What if I think I’m just trying to prove something, or testing Jesus just to see what He does? Then pray. Talk to our Father and ask Him to open your heart to Jesus’ desires and to open your mind to His will. Look at the person you would intercede for and allow God to stir you. Your doubts will fade and your desire for that person’s good will grow. Step out and try.
Christ does indeed live in you, and when you step out and try He lives through you as well.
Step out and try. Our God is big enough to take our little faith and grow a huge tree with it 🙂 When your heart is for Him and your desire is for His will, you cannot make a wrong decision because God will work with and through your faith.
Settle it in the truth, the Lord Jesus lives in you. And when you step out and try He lives through you as well.
And (you) go around doing good and healing all who are oppressed by the devil, for God is with (you).
