Our culture is fascinated by miracles; indeed, entire shrines are built where miracles are said to have occurred. For example, one of several famous Catholic shrines is the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. This shrine was built on the site where Mary is believed to have appeared to Juan Diego in 1531. Many Catholics make a pilgrimage to this site from all over the world. It houses the famous image of Mary that is said to have miraculously appeared on Juan Diego’s cloak. These stories fascinate us. Why? Well, we were created in the image of God, who IS a spirit, so it’s no surprise that we long to experience the supernatural.
We long for proof that the knowledge of God which He placed inside us about Himself—is real. We desire proof of the existence of something greater than ourselves!
The Bible says:
“Because WHAT may be KNOWN of GOD is MANIFEST in them, for GOD has SHOWN it to them.”
Romans 1:19 NKJV
Remarkable! We long for something better—something beautiful that cannot be destroyed by evil. This fascination with the supernatural—from the magic of Cinderella’s fairy godmother, to the quest of Harry Potter to defeat the Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort—is with us from childhood. We know we were born to experience the supernatural.
But—we were created for so much more than a fairy tale!
We were created to experience a spiritual relationship with God, who is a Spirit. BUT —did you know—-miracles are NOT proof of that relationship? God can perform miracles with animals and inanimate objects—because they are subject to Him. For example, did you know that God made a donkey speak to a man and water gush out of a rock?
Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
Numbers 22:28 NKJV
[God said] “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Exodus 17:6 NKJV
In fact, Jesus told us that miracles are NOT proof that someone belongs to His family:
Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I NEVER knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV
In fact, it appears that even Judas Iscariot performed miracles before he murderously betrayed Christ:
And when He had called His TWELVE disciples to Him, He gave THEM POWER over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
Matthew 10:1 NKJV
So if working miracles or doing great works in the name of Jesus is NOT proof that someone has been born again—what is? Jesus said:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35 NKJV
What does this “love” Christ said should define us—look like? If we really want to know if we belong to Christ and are going to heaven when we die then—what’s the proof we should look for in our own life?
Tomorrow we will take a closer look at 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and discover the remarkable qualities of love that flow from Christ—into those who truly belong to Him.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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2 Responses
Thank You for today’s lessens. I’m really learning from them! God Bless You! Have a beautiful day.
Praise God!!! Feel free to share. Have a blessed day and thank you for your comment.