Surely This Must Be God

SURELY THIS MUST BE GOD?

One of the greatest influencers in my life once told me (in regard to another Ministry), "If I see one miracle there, I will know that God is in it." Those words pierced my heart. Not because they were true but rather because this man whom countless thousands admired and looked to, was deceived. What he had spoken was not supported by the Word, in fact the Word warns against following "signs and wonders."

I myself have seen and experienced many miraculous things in my life, healings, deliverances, encounters with our Holy God. Instances and results that could never be explained by men, yet because of the Word of God, these things I do not seek first. Miracles and "signs and wonders" truly are not what we as believers should ever place our faith in. Teachers with appealing words, tickling our ears, "worship teams" filled with talent, enhanced with technology, these are not the things that we should seek to follow. Why you ask, why not, aren't these signs that God has blessed them and their ministry?

I have two particular scriptures I look to for the answers, the first being Matthew 7:21-23 “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. 22 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?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ In this passage Jesus Himself places the importance of relationship with Him, a relationship that leads to doing the will of God first, not our own. Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

The second scripture, again quoting Jesus, is found in Matthew 24: 23-25 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christ's and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand." Need more be said? Jesus in speaking of the end of days warns us that "miracles, signs, and wonders" will happen even in places where our Holy God is not present!

We my friends must be cautious, must align all we see and hear with the Word of God, we must "Test every spirit" (1John 4:1). We must maintain above all an intimate relationship with our Creator, Yahweh. The Word says sin John 10:27-28 "My sheep know My voice." And that voice is the one we must listen for and to, not the voice of man or men. Follow Christ, stay in the Word, and when someone builds a theology upon their words that conflict with God's Word, we listen no more…

Pastor Gene Burroughs

Arise Ministries of California