In manufacturing it is easy to completely focus on the product being produced and overlook, marginalize and discard the byproducts of the production! Wise manufacturers, however, have discovered that there is great value in paying attention to the byproducts of a process… In fact, sometimes the value of byproducts have actually eclipsed that of a product!
There is something to be learned from this fact as it relates to the miraculous activity of God in Scripture… There are some who have so focused on the miraculous activity of God (i.e. “signs and wonders”) that they have overlooked what I will refer to as THE “BYPRODUCT” OF HIS MIRACULOUS ACTIVITY! And if the truth were acknowledged, the “byproducts” of God’s miraculous activity can actually be viewed as the purpose of the “signs and wonders!”
John’s gospel actually powerfully illustrates this truth… “signs” – a favorite word in John to describe the miraculous, actually points beyond itself to the person and redemptive purposes of God in Christ!
Today, during my time of “coffee with the Lord,” I observed another example of this truth.
The passage was Acts 9:32-43… Two miracles at the beginning of the Church’s ministry after Pentecost…
The healing of a paralyzed man by the name of Aeneas, bedridden for eight years. Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, speaks to Aeneas and says, “Jesus Christ heals you! Rise and make your bed!” And Aeneas is immediately and supernaturally healed! … Oh, and the powerfully important “BYPRODUCT” of that healing? “All the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and they turned to the Lord!” (vs. 36)
Here’s another… In the city of Joppa there was a wonderful, godly disciple of Jesus by the name of Tabitha (or “Dorcas”). What a wonderful Christian lady Tabitha was … “Full of good works and acts of charity!” She fell ill, however, and died. They prepared her for burial. But the disciples in Joppa heard Apostle Peter was nearby and urged him to come quickly! Before any funeral was held, Peter went to the room where she lay, knelt down by her body and prayed… then he spoke to her dead body… “Tabitha, arise!” And she did – raised from the dead! What a powerful exhibition of God’s resurrection power!” Wow! … But what about the incredibly important “BYPRODUCT” of the miracle? “And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord!” (vs. 42)
Don’t get me wrong… I believe in God’s power to heal – I believe God acts in miraculous power in Jesus’ name! … But I NEVER WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF GOD’S REDEMPTIVE PURPOSES IN HIS MIRACULOUS ACTIVITY! I never want to make “signs and wonders” – miracles, if you please, “an end in themselves!” God’s purposes are always redemptive!
Coffee With The Lord 