All have an innate hunger for the divine— the supernatural. For Moses this hunger was so intense that a life without God’s glory was not a life worth living. So it is today for a growing number of Christians who have grown weary of a “gospel” devoid of the supernatural.
Humanistic philosophies have stealthily interweaved themselves into the American Church’s version of Christ’s Gospel. These philosophies extol man’s wisdom and encourage personal willpower and introspection.
YOU have the ability to reach your full potential— self-actualization. Self-centeredness— focusing on the improvement of self becomes the dominating force in your life.
The self-actualized YOU is independent, autonomous and resistant to societal pressures. Possessing the ability to transcend, rather than cope with the adversities of life.
Humanistic philosophies believe that all knowledge needed for transformation is readily available to YOU. Something the Proverbs 31 woman knows is a lie!
Only the Lord’s wisdom has the power to create everlasting transformation. For this reason she opens her mouth in skillful and godly wisdom. The teaching of kindness is on her tongue, giving counsel and instruction. Proverbs 31:26
Humanism refuses to acknowledge there is a transcendent, sovereign God who has declared.
“My thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth. So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
God’s wisdom does not belong to this world or to the rulers of this world. Who are in power today and gone tomorrow. It is a wisdom that has been hidden. Which God had planned for our glory before the world began.
Not one of the rulers of this world has known it. If they had, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory. But as Scripture says. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:6-9
God violates or transcends natural laws so that He and His Kingdom are glorified. In doing so all mankind shall see— behold and understand and at last acknowledge the salvation of God. The deliverance from eternal death decreed by God. Luke 3:6
God’s miracles are a testimony to His character and a source of comfort and healing. Something Naaman may never have discovered. If he had not humbled himself and obeyed the Lord.
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master. Because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor but a leper. 2 Kings 5:1
Naaman learned there was a prophet of the God of Israel, Elisha, and he had the power to heal his disease. So, Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house.
And Elisha sent a messenger to him. Saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”
But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself. He will surely come out to me. And stand and call on the name of the Lord his God. And wave his hand over the place. And heal the leprosy.
Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?”
So he turned and went away in a rage.
And his servants came near and spoke to him. And said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then when he says to you wash and be clean?”
So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan. According to the saying of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 2 Kings 5:9-14
Based on conventional wisdom, Elisha’s words and actions were outlandish and offensive. Immersion seven times in the dirty waters of the Jordan River had never cured anyone of leprosy. What made anyone think it would work now?
Besides, Naaman was an important man who had brought expensive gifts for Elisha. He deserved better treatment! A more dignified cure.
On top of everything else, Elisha did not act like any prophet Naaman had ever seen. Were not prophets like magicians? They chanted an incantation in the name of a god and waved their hand over you.
Like Naaman many have been blinded by paradigms based on personal observation and experience. Refusing to believe spiritual encounters with the Lord should be the norm. Rather than the exception. That the supernatural events recorded in both the Old and New Testament are Truth, not legend.
By not trusting God’s wisdom, Christ’s Gospel has been stripped of His supernatural power. Which is the prerequisite for both personal and cultural transformation.
Until the Church and Christians return to the literal interpretation of Scripture. Acknowledge that the earth and the supernatural realm are not two separate, alien worlds. They are simply different expressions of the Lord’s spiritual reality. Her followers will never experience the fullness of the Lord’s glory.
Like Moses you must trust God to do what only God can do. With a word make something out of nothing.
When everything is hopeless, you must believe anyway. Decide to live not on the basis of what you know you cannot do, but on what God said He will do!
Be a VOICE in the deafening sound of sameness!
letsloveothers 