Proclaiming with Power

41) and many people came to Him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42) And in that place many believed in Jesus.

John 10:41-42 (NIV)

Must a Christian perform miracles to prove the power of his faith or to demonstrate that he is truly a man of God? Nowadays, most Christians chase after miracles and promises of blessings. As soon as they hear of pastors who perform miracles—or who offer prayers for physical healing and material abundance—they are ready to sacrifice anything to get close to them. Their motivation is not to find Jesus through their message, but rather to obtain from them the very things they have heard attributed to them.

When one sees a crowd rushing toward a church, one can guess what they have heard about the pastor. In the first century—at the dawn of the Church—one cannot ignore the fact that many desired the apostles to grant them a miracle; yet, it was not the apostles themselves who interested them, but the work of God accomplished through their agency. This means that they all came to hear about Jesus and His work of salvation. Beyond the message of salvation, they wanted to witness the power He brought into their lives. However, they did not always expect signs and miracles.

It is not the preacher who determines the outcome of an evangelistic campaign or a prayer meeting. It is the Holy Spirit who performs His work according to God's will. Do not think that your faith is insufficient or weak simply because you do not see miracles when you preach. Your mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ at every opportunity. Leave the rest to the Holy Spirit. Know that not all disciples performed miracles, and yet, the power of their preaching led many souls to conversion. It is this work that pleases God. Therefore, make the proclamation of the Good News the desire of your heart, rather than seeking miracles to prove your faith.

May the grace and peace of God be with you.