In the book of Acts, there is an account of Peter healing a lame man with a startling amount of directness and clarity. He says to the man, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). What is stunning about this encounter is the overt confidence that Peter has in what he is doing and what is about to happen. It is nothing like the earlier events where Jesus chastised his disciples for their lack of faith and inability to heal a demonised boy (see my previous message – “Becoming Strong in Faith“).
This is real faith at work – in which Peter KNOWS that he is a steward of God’s power, that the healing power of Jesus now resides in him by the Holy Spirit’s anointing, and that he has been given authority to give healing to others in Jesus name.
This story is not told to us so that we can simply sit back and say, “Isn’t God good!” and “Isn’t Peter amazing!” This story shows us what real faith in action looks like, and what a normal person empowered by the Holy Spirit can do when they know they are serving Jesus. Peter himself makes certain that no one can think this miracle comes by anything of his own power or deserving. He blatantly says, “Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (Acts 3:12). Rather he proclaims the good news of Jesus and makes clear for all to know “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see” (Acts 3:16).
The challenge for all of us is to follow on the journey of growing in our faith, to move from weakness and doubt towards absolute confidence in the Holy Spirit’s power through Jesus name.
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