Gal 3.2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of (with) faith? 3.5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
When the Galatians came under the attack of the legalists, who insisted that they were nor really saved unless they kept the law of Moses and were circumcised, Paul reminded them that they were saved and received The Spirit when they responded with faith to the gospel. But He also reminded them that The Same Spirit that was received by faith was The One Who performed miracles among them. You cannot say that you believe the Bible if you say that you do not believe that God does miracles.
Now I realize that the Scriptures teach that false prophets and devils perform miracles, signs, and lying wonders. We certainly need Spirit-filled discernment to know what is of God and what is not of God. But my question to you this morning, beloved, is a simple one. Are the days of miracles over? Oh, every Christian acknowledges the day to day miracle of creation and the greatest miracle of all, the new birth. But does God still purify water today? Does He still perform miraculous works of healing?
I’ve been told, and have heard it taught, that the kind of miracles that Paul spoke of here were “temporary” manifestations of God’s power to confirm his apostolic authority and the validity of the gospel message. Well, in one sense that is true, but is that it? Since there are no more Apostles, since we have the completed canon of Scripture (praise God!), there are no more miracles for today?
I would say, does not The Spirit still do miracles with the hearing of faith today? Some would say no. That was for “back then.” Let me put it another way? Does not The Spirit of God enter into a person when respond in faith to the gospel message today? Those same people would say Yes. Absolutely. Okay, you’ve got me thoroughly confused.
While I completely believe that there was a special dispensation of Apostolic miracles to confirm their authenticity as genuine followers of Jesus and preachers of His gospel, I do not believe that God stopped doing miracles when the last Apostle breathed his last breath. I believe that the Mighty God of Scripture and His power to do the miraculous in our lives cannot be limited to a certain age. Granted, there is a miracle mania that is unbiblical, untrue and unholy. Unfortunately, to offset that error, we tend to swing to the other extreme and put the Living God in a theological straightjacket.
If I am reading my bible correctly, The Same God Who performed every miracle of every kind in scripture is still on His throne ruling and running this universe. He still intervenes in many miraculous ways in the lives of His people. Beloved, Jesus said have faith in God. That is my point as well. Have faith in God. The effectual fervent prayer of Elijah saw miracles happen. Pray fervently. Believe wholeheartedly in the love and greatness of God. He still is The God of all flesh Who told Jeremiah, is there anything too hard for Me?
Trust God in everything and for everything. Trust Him when you do not understand what is going on. Do not let the fact that the miracle you asked for in the past never happened. Do not let The Father’s will deter your faith in God for the miracle you may need today. We all have to live with the mystery of God’s providence, but the moment God stops performing miracles, the universe collapses, people stop getting saved, and He is no longer God.
