When Jesus Christ walked on earth, He performed many signs—He healed the sick, multiplied food, raised the dead, restored sight to the blind, cast out demons. In John 14:12 He said “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do...”. Therefore not only have Christians been empowered to do what Christ did, we have been empowered to do even much more.
The book of Acts gives various practical examples of the power of the name of Jesus. Acts 3:1-8 tells us how Peter healed a man who was born lame. Verse 6 KJV says “Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 16:16-18 tells us how Paul delivered a girl possessed with an evil spirit. Verse 18 KJV says “And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that same hour.”
The name of Jesus Christ is an ever powerful name. It doesn’t run out of power, its power doesn’t lessen with time, it doesn’t go out of fashion. Christ said in John 14:13-14 KJV, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.” This is the only name that can deliver everything to the one that believes. For in it is contained every thing needed. In fact, the journey to eternal life begins with the mention of the name of Jesus Christ for it is when a man confesses Christ that he becomes saved. If at the name of Jesus, eternal death is banished and eternal life becomes a reality, is there anything that can resist it? No!
Mark 16:17-18 KJV says “And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues: They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” This shows that the name of Jesus is a fortifying name, leaving no aspect untouched. Prior to the coming of Christ, we were already given a glimpse of the power of the name in the Old Testament. Proverbs 18:10 KJV says “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” When you are backed up by the name of Jesus, you are unstoppable and impenetrable. Whatever is subject to Jesus will be subject to you, whatever gave way before Jesus will give way before you.
Every Christian has been given a free pass to use the name of Jesus at any time needed. Sadly, we fail to grasp its power. When we should be utilizing the name, we allow doubts and fears to weigh us down, we allow ourselves to be oppressed, we act like they that have no power. A popular song says ‘there is power in the name of Jesus, to break every chain'. Not only are chains broken, battles are won, yokes are broken, seemingly impossible situations are turned around, demons are cast out, the deaf begin to hear, the blind begin to see, the lame begin to walk, the afflicted are set free, captives are set free, the dead come back to life, because greater things shall we do.
The only thing that can stand in our way is lack of faith. And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Matthew 17:20 KJV Emphasis added). The name will only work for you if you believe that it has power. Your unbelief doesn’t remove the power from the name, rather it just renders you unable to use it.
Consider this simple story. A man buys a brand new, qualitative generator to power his house. Now, no matter how new and efficient the generator is, it will not be able to do what it was purchased for if the man is unable to turn it on. The fact that the man cannot turn on the generator doesn’t mean it is faulty or it can’t work. But it means that the man cannot use it for the purpose for which he bought it. If it takes the man 3 days to learn how to turn on the generator, that is when the generator will begin to work for him. For as long as the man is unable to turn it on, the generator will remain as it is, qualitative, efficient but not doing anything for the man. That is how we should apply faith. Faith enables us stay connected to the power in the name of Jesus. It is only when we mention the name in faith that we have access to what it can do. And having faith automatically implies that we let go of fear and doubt. Why do you still fear when such a powerful name is there for you?
Philippians 2:9-11 KJV says “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every other name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” No realm is left out, everything must bow to the name of Jesus. No power or authority, physical or otherwise, can resist the name of Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment