By the Power of His Name

October 30

The people of Christ have been given great and precious promises. Our Lord has empowered His followers to do works that parallel those He did when He traversed the dusty streets of Palestine . We ply these gifts with varying degrees of faith and varying levels of success, but we do endeavor to use them.

Perhaps the least noticed, least dramatic of the gifts is the salvation of the lost. How many times we have sat in church, heads bowed, eyes closed while hands were raised by those desirous of receiving salvation. It’s rather comical—as though we’re trying to sneak people into the Kingdom of Christ !

Less concealable is the healing of the sick. People who have suffered from affliction, whether physical or mental or emotional, are transformed immediately when the balm of Gilead has poured over them. Financial needs, too, are generally received with jubilation. But whatever the nature of the miracle may be, one thing we who endeavor to stand on the Word and receive the promises know for certain—it is not in our strength that the good work is done.

As Peter said in Acts 3:6-16 when he encountered the lame beggar on the steps of the Temple, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Then he said to the amazed onlookers, “Why are you astounded at this? Why do you stare at us as though we did this in our own power or godliness? It is the power of Jesus that made this man whole.” So we, by the power of Jesus name, will see His glory.