We Are All Qualified
Devotional Contributor: Anna Marie Dandy
Acts 3:12 “When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?”
Through God’s power, Peter had just healed the lame beggar that sat outside the temple gate every day. A crowd gathered to see for themselves the mighty miracle. Peter then boldly proclaimed the gospel to those gathered, knowing that he now had a captive audience because of the miracle that had just been performed.
Too often we disqualify ourselves for the working of miracles, thinking that we need to be an apostle or at least on staff at a church somewhere or to have some kind of super-human faith. We know our own issues and think, how can I possibly pray for healing when I need healing myself?
But this was Peter who had performed this miracle with God’s power. Peter, the one who had just denied Jesus not too long before and would also make later mistakes like when Paul had to confront him over his avoidance of gentiles (see Galatians 2:11-21). There was no super apostle, just like there are no perfect Christians today. Peter was a willing vessel who walked with Jesus and was willing to take a risk.
If we are waiting until we are more healed, more holy, or more Christ-like we will always find a way to disqualify ourselves. We may not be perfect, but we do serve a perfect God who is willing to move through us, where we are, as we step out in faith and obedience to him.
After this miracle Peter shared the gospel. Miracles are open doors for people to come to the Lord because they are a living demonstration of His love and power. They open wide the door for evangelism because really who wouldn’t listen about the One who just healed a person’s loved one?
Vance Havner says, “We are not going to change the world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it ignited by the Spirit of God.”
Let us be ignited by the fire of the Spirit to look past our weakness into His strength and to share the love of God by stepping out, taking risks, and seeing what God will do. It is not by our own power or godliness, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us work with Him in igniting the world so it is ablaze with the love and power of God! You are qualified because you have His Spirit!
