Believing For Others To See

Believing for Others to See

Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” John 4:48

CRITERIA FOR FAITH make frequent appearances throughout the Gospel of John. Some people believe because of Jesus’ miraculous signs, others refuse to believe in spite of them, some believe in order to receive them but then don’t follow any further, and eventually some believe without seeing. That last response wins Jesus’ highest praise (John 20:29), but he also accepts those who believe because they have seen. He understands that people often need demonstrations of power in order to recognize supernatural realities. But seeing is not the priority. Belief has to come first.

Skeptics say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” The testimony of Scripture for those who already believe is that we will see it when we believe it. For us, seeing does come, but faith is very often the prerequisite, the key that unlocks the door of heaven, the human acknowledgment of who God is that prompts him to demonstrate the truth of our belief. Many unbelievers will never believe the logic of Christian apologetics or the heartfelt testimony of a changed life, but they will respond to a demonstration of God’s supernatural power. Meanwhile, those who already believe are called to invest their faith on what remains unseen for now, knowing that their faith can be the catalyst for God’s demonstrations. We do not depend on evidence to overcome our skepticism because our faith has already overcome. We become the testimony we want others to see.

Understand the role of unexplainable works in your life and in the lives of others. You do not need God to prove himself to you, but someone who doesn’t know who he is just might. Let your faith in the unseen become a vehicle for their faith in the seen. Go out on a limb to pray for people’s healing, provision, protection, and more. Don’t be afraid that they will reject God if your prayers seem unanswered. They already don’t believe; your prayers of faith may be the key that unlocks their heart. Pray for God’s powerful works to demonstrate his kindness to those who don’t know him and trust him to answer. In Jesus, he revealed his nature by responding to people’s needs. Through your prayers, he still does.

Miracles are the great bell of the universe, which draws men to God’s sermon.