A SINNER DOING MIRACLES
Tuesday – May 7, 2019, Iyar 2, 5779
Greetings dear brothers and sisters in Christ and welcome back to this illuminating Bible Study of the Book of John. If you are reading this on Facebook please take a moment and hit the “like” and “share” buttons to expand the reach of this ministry. The featured pictures this week will be Texas themed. I recently returned to Maine from a Texas vacation with my soon to be bride (featured on Friday) to meet family and friends. It was the most outstanding trip I can remember. Today’s picture is of the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio. We did ride on one of these boats. Now, let’s turn our attention to our Bible Study by first reading our primary text aloud.
John 9:13-17 (KJV)
13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
As you will recall Jesus has had the audacity to heal a man of blindness on the Sabbath Day and the Pharisees are in an uproar. The thing that has always struck me about all of this is that they were not healing anyone on any day! Now let’s turn our attention to the continuation of this account. We find the Pharisees interrogating this man who was healed of blindness and even question (later) whether it is the same man. The Pharisees say that Jesus cannot be of God for He has not kept the Sabbath. Further more how can a sinner do miracles? In the midst of this discussion we see that a division occurs among the peoples, Jews, Pharisees gathered that day. When division occurs who is at work? That’s right, demonic powers. Did God or Satan bring about the formation of the multitude of Christian Denominations in the earth today? Short answer is Satan. This is the divide and conquer principle at work.
In our text a question was asked which was, can a sinner do miracles? For just a moment let’s focus in on the word “sinner” from our text. Let me ask a question that may help to bring a little focus. Is a sinner and a person who has sinned the one and same thing? A sinner is one who habitually sins and in general is not trying to not sin which is to violate God’s laws. That does not mean they are not aware of them just they are not placing any value upon His Word, His laws. You probably have been around a sinner and they were swearing and then they said something like, “pardon my French”. This is a sinner and they need Jesus. One who sins may be a sinner but they may be a Christian who has sinned, violated the laws of God. They could have missed the mark intentionally or in ignorance but none the less missed the mark sinning. No sinner, one who has not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, is going to Hell because of sin, but for rejecting Jesus. No unsaved person has to ask forgiveness for their sins or confess their sins. The forgiveness of their sins is a done deal, they, however, must change kingdoms, asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior. Sin for the sinner was taken care of at Calvary. Now, what about the Christian who sins? Sin in the Christians life opens the door for the enemy to come in and steal, kill, and destroy. The thief, demons, can only come if they have something in us, a sin. Sin opens up everyone’s life to all sorts of mayhem, the ravages of the curse, saint and sinner alike. So, before salvation, all sin was taken care of at Calvary but sin after salvation must be confessed with a change in thinking, words, and behavior.
1 John 1:9 (KJV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
You and I can know that the Apostle John is talking to Christians here with the use of the pronouns “we and us”. Sin in a Christians life leads to a lack of victory, a lack of evidence for the presence of the Blessing of God. Instead, we see clear evidence of the presence of the curse. The choice between sin and righteousness or not sinning would seem on the surface to be simple and self-evident but as all of us know that is not the case. Our enemy is very deceptive and if we are not sober and vigilant, we can be deceived. Here is the first and fundamental key for not entering into temptation which leads to sin.
Matthew 26:40-41 (KJV)
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Two things I want to point out about this passage which has to do with a Christian entering into sin. First Jesus seems to be saying that the minimal time of prayer needs to be at least one hour. Prayer is conversation with God, it is a time of giving thanks, praising God, and declaring our submission to Him which is worship. It is a time to hear from Him whether that be by His still small voice of the Word of God (Bible). It is also a time when we intercede for others (as priests) and a time to declare the will of God for ourselves and others. Second, Jesus is telling us that it is important to recognize temptation at its onset and do not enter into the temptation, and the key to that is spending time (one hour minimum) communing with God (yes, daily). Sometimes we think we are the cat playing with the mouse (temptation) and really, we are the mouse and Satan is playing with us.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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