In Matthew 9:27-31 we are given an account of a miracle that Jesus performed that we can learn a wonderful lesson from. We are told that…
27As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
28When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; 30and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." 31But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
The important thing to remember here is that the blind men received healing according to their faith. They cried out to the Lord as two blind men, not just hoping that they "could" receive their sight, but believing that Jesus "would" restore their sight. There is a big difference between the words could and would.
"I could pray"… is not the same as, "I will pray."
"I could read my Bible"… is not the same as "I will read my Bible."
"I could go to church"… is not the same as, "I will go to church."
You see our faulty expectations can limit the manifest power of God in our lives.
Let me say that again… our faulty expectations can limit the manifest power of God in our lives.
You see, Jesus said, "According to your faith it shall be done unto you." It is a spiritual principle that we need to recognize and understand.
The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 23:7 that "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."
If I believe that I am doomed, then more than likely I will act like I am doomed.
If I believe that I am stupid then more than likely I will act like I'm stupid.
If I believe that I am ugly then I will act like I'm ugly, dress like I'm ugly, and people will correspondingly react like I am ugly.
As I think in my heart… so am I.
Form Follows Function
One of the fundamental lessons of nature teaches us that form follows function. Examples of this would include such things as…
Birds… Birds function great as fliers because their form is light, they are not heavy, they have feathers, they have wings… they make great flying machines. However, birds are not good swimmers. Their function does not allow for good swimming.
Sheep… Sheep function great as grazers because their form allows them to wander the grasslands in cool weather and still stay warm in their wool. Their teeth allow them to chew the grass. But, sheep make terrible swimmers. They would sink in their wool. And they are certainly not hunters.
Lions… Lions function as great hunters because their form gives them strength, speed, massive jaws and sharp claws for hunting. However, lions do not fly very well.
This principle of form following function holds true with people too.
Weight Lifters… Weightlifters function great at lifting hundreds of pounds because of their form; muscles that have been built up by countless repetitions. But, weightlifters are not known for their grace, however. I knew one weightlifter who could not even button the top button on his shirt because his muscles were so massive.
And whether a person is a basketball player, a swimmer, a ballerina, or rocket scientist, the rule of form following function holds true. It holds true for our physical life, our mental life and our spiritual life.
So, the form of miracles in our lives follows the function of our faith… the condition of our hearts and minds. If I harbor fears then I should not be surprised at the inefficiency of my faith. If I hold on to doubts then the possibilities will disappear. If I limit the potential of God by the finiteness of my understanding then I should not be confused when God does not perform on cue.
Again and again, during his earthly ministry, Jesus would cry out, "Oh, ye of little faith." Jesus understood the limitations that we imposed upon ourselves to receive the miraculous.
A Boy Is Healed
In the Gospel of Mark 9:14-27 we are provided with an account that speaks volumes about the power of faith…
14When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.
17A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
19"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
20So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered. 22"It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
25When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."
26The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
Notice how the boy's father was doubtful about Christ's ability to heal when he said, "If you can do anything."
However, Jesus did not hesitate to challenge the man's doubts when he replied, "If you can?" Essentially, Jesus was saying, "What do you mean.. If I can?" Then Jesus emphasized, "Everything is possible for him who believes." Notice Jesus did not't say "some" things are possible, or "a lot" of things are possible. Jesus said, EVERYTHING is possible for him who believes.
You see if we want to receive a miracle then we must believe in the miracle. But, this is not a "name it and claim" it type of faith. It is the type of faith that wells up from deep within our very being. It is not a faith of words, but a faith that encompasses our deepest thoughts, feelings and physical form.
In Matthew 9:20-22 we read of another account where the Word of God tells us…
20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.
What a beautiful example of the type of miracle that should be ours. Notice, that in her faith, she did not say, "I COULD be made well." She said, "I SHALL be made well." She was convinced. And she acted upon that conviction. And notice too, that Jesus said, "Your faith has made you well." The form of her faith was solid, secure, pure and the miracle was in direct proportion to her faith.
The Word of God says… as a man believes in his heart, so is he.
Our thoughts, our feelings, our beliefs, our faith… defines not only who we are, but how we are. Negative thoughts will attract negative consequences. Positive thoughts bring positive results.
So, none of us have the right to complain about our life. In reality our life is ours for the choosing. Our life is the result of all of the choices we have ever made, the manifestation of our faith.
Jesus said, "According to your faith it will be done to you."
Are you disturbed by the circumstances in your life?
Are you troubled by sickness or poverty or demons?
Are you lacking a miracle in your life?
Jesus said, "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Sometimes we just need to cry out to the Lord and say, "Help me overcome my unbelief. Help Thou my unbelief"
And Jesus provides us with a formula for that help. In Luke 11:9 Jesus tells us, "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
We need to ask for the miracle.
We need to look for the miracle.
We need to knock or act upon that miracle.
And then we may hear Jesus say to us, "Your faith has made you well."
The author gives his permission to use this article in any manner that will glorify God.
tweet this!
