PRE-392-392. Faith for the Supernatural

392. Faith for the Supernatural

Faith for the Supernatural

A Call to Believe in Christ's Supernatural Light

by David Wilkerson

September 22, 2003

[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]

The Gospel of John tells us, '93There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light'85He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world'94 (Joh_1:6-9).

Jesus is the light who'92s being described here. We'92re told that Christ is the light of the world, '93that all men through him might believe'94 (1:7). Yet, we then read, '93The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehendeth it not'85. He came unto his own, and his own received him not'94 (1:5, 11).

Unbelief has always grieved the heart of Jesus. When our Lord came to earth in the flesh, he brought incredible light into the world. And that light was meant to open the eyes of men. Yet, in spite of Jesus'92 amazing show of light, Scripture speaks of incredible examples of unbelief in the very face of such light.

Joh_12:1-50 contains one such example. Jesus was at Bethany, having supper in the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. Christ had already performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. And now people were curious to see Jesus. At the time, crowds were passing through town on their way to the Pass-over feast at Jerusalem. They wanted a glimpse of the man being called Messiah, and the man he'92d resurrected, Lazarus.

In the same chapter, we find these same people waving palm fronds and singing hosannas to Jesus as he enters Jerusalem on a donkey. They were seeing the fulfillment of a prophecy they'92d heard all their lives: '93Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass'94 (Zec_9:9).

Finally, in the same chapter, we'92re told a voice came thundering from heaven, as the Father glorified his own name. Jesus turned to the amazed crowd and said, '93This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes'94 (Joh_12:30).

Perhaps no other chapter in the Bible contains as much proof of Jesus'92 deity as we see here in Joh_12:1-50. We see a man who'92d been raised from the dead by Jesus'92 command. We see the visual fulfillment of a centuries-old prophecy known to every Israelite. And we hear a literal voice speaking from heaven.

Each of these things happened before a huge throng of religious people. God had given these people his law, his covenant and his promises. Yet, even after witnessing these wonders, the people had the audacity to question Jesus. '93The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up?'94 (12:34). They were saying,'93You claim you'92re going to be crucified. But we know the true Messiah is going to live forever.'94

Then the people asked a question that absolutely stunned Jesus: '93Who is this Son of man?'94 (12:34). Christ must have been incredulous at their blindness. In fact, he didn'92t even attempt to answer the question. Instead, he warned, '93Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you'85While ye have light, believe in the light'94 (12:35-36).

We have to consider the seriousness of Jesus'92 statement here. He had revealed to these people his strong arm. He'92d performed miracles before them. He'92d given them the'93good report'94 prophesied by watchmen from Zechariah to Isaiah. Yet they still didn'92t believe in him.

The light had shone into their darkness. But their darkened minds didn'92t comprehend it (see 1:12). The Greek word for comprehend means'93to seize it, to lay hold of it, to possess the truth producing life and power.'94 These people had been given a life-changing truth. But they didn'92t seize it or lay hold of it. They didn'92t understand the truth of Christ, because they didn'92t seek to possess it.

'93These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them'94 (12:36). In this one verse, we find God'92s attitude toward unbelief. Indeed, from cover to cover in the Bible, God never has sympathy or pity for unbelief. And the same is true in this scene. Jesus simply walked away from the unbelieving crowds. As a result, those people would leave Jerusalem in darkness, because they didn'92t walk in the light they'92d been given. There was no more hope of light for them, because of their unbelief.

'93Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you'94 (Joh_12:35). Darkness here means'93spiritual blindness, confusion, loss of clarity, gloom.'94 Day by day, a cloud of uncertainty would settle over these people. Confusion would influence their everyday affairs. Eventually, it would totally envelop them. The end would be a heart of darkness.

When I read this awesome warning of Jesus, the Holy Spirit told me, "This is also for my people today.'94

At first I was dumbfounded. I wondered,'93Darkness on a people who love Jesus? Who pray and study his Word? How could such darkness come upon God'92s people?'94

I readily admit, I personally have been flooded with the light of Jesus. In my fifty years of ministry, I'92ve witnessed the Lord'92s power to raise the spiritually dead. I'92ve seen many Lazaruses walk out of the tombs of drug addiction and alcoholism. My book The Cross and the Switchblade was all about God'92s miracle-working power. I'92ve had a lifetime of watching the walking dead come alive through his resurrecting power.

I'92ve seen many other rays of light '96 from the life-giving names of God, to his New Covenant promises, to the fulfillment of his prophecies. In a sense, I'92ve witnessed everything Joh_12:1-50 describes, and much more as well. Indeed, God has revealed to his people today what the eyes of those Jews couldn'92t see. We know not just from Scripture but by experience that God has prepared great things for those who love him. We'92ve been given a New Testament to instruct us in this. And we'92ve been given the Holy Spirit to teach us. Likewise, we have'93better promises,'94 so we can become partakers of his divine nature.

We'92ve also been given anointed teachers, pastors, evangelists and prophets to flood our hearts and minds with the light. They immerse us in truth, fill us with glorious promises, and remind us of God'92s faithfulness to deliver us time after time.

I ask you, with all these wonderful blessings, how could we possibly have clouds of darkness over us?

Usually, when we think of spiritual darkness, we think of atheists. Or, we think of jaded, sin-satiated sinners groping about in sorrow and emptiness. It'92s true, sin is'93the land of darkness.'94 And the devil is the prince of that darkness. The apostle Paul speaks of the'93unfruitful works of darkness.'94

But that isn'92t the kind of darkness Jesus describes here in Joh_12:1-50. No, this darkness is a cloud of confusion, a spiritual blindness, indecision, a gloom of spirit and mind '96 and it comes upon believers. Note that Jesus doesn'92t aim this warning at unbelieving people or apostates. He speaks it to the holy brethren. He'92s talking about a darkened state that comes upon Christians who refuse to mix the Word they hear with faith. They neglect to grasp, embrace and walk in the light they'92ve been given. And one day, they wake up and realize,'93God doesn'92t speak to me anymore.'94

I wonder how many Christians reading this message right now are in a cloud of confusion. Does this describe you? Perhaps your prayers go unanswered. You'92re constantly downcast. You face things in your life that you can'92t explain. You'92re disappointed in your circumstances and in people. You continually doubt yourself, you'92re plagued with questions, and you constantly examine your heart to see where you went wrong. You feel gloom, despair, indecision, and you can'92t shake any of it.

You may be a mature believer. For years you'92ve sat under pure gospel preaching. But now you doubt yourself, and you feel inadequate. You don'92t sense the joy of the Lord the way you once did. So now you wonder if the Lord has a controversy with you.

This is the darkness that Jesus warned would come upon us, if we don'92t seize and walk in the light we have received. Let me ask you: do you trust his promises? Do you embrace his precious Word? Do you go on the offensive against Satan with the Word you'92ve heard preached? Or, do you ignore the Lord'92s past faithfulness to you? Do you not trust that he stands with you, in control of everything pertaining to your life? If so, then you'92ve opened yourself to darkness.

Jesus describes the person who lives in darkness, saying, '93He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth'94 (Joh_12:35). In other words:'93Such a person has lost his way. His steps are confused, he'92s indecisive, he walks in blindness.'94

The prophet Isaiah describes just such a people. The Israelites had magnified God'92s law and made it honorable. But they didn'92t appropriate what they knew of it. God said of them:

'93Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. Who is blind, but my servant? Or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? Who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord'92s servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness'92 sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. Who among you will give ear to this? Who will hearken and hear for the time to come?'94 (Isa_42:18-23).

Who gave these people over to such darkness? Isaiah tells us in the next verse: '93Did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned?'94 (42:24). What sin did these people commit, to be given over to such darkness? It was their unbelief, plain and simple. Isaiah says they wouldn'92t walk in the light of the word they heard. '93For they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart'94 (42:24-25).

I know what it'92s like to enter such a cloud of darkness. Things get confusing. You can'92t hear a clear word from God. You want answers quickly, crying out to God,'93Oh, Lord, I'92m not seeing or hearing you like I used to.'94 You end up asking him to be more sympathetic, more pitiful toward your condition.

But the truth is, the Lord has no pity for outright unbelief. He'92s grieved by it. He expects us to walk in the light we'92ve received. We'92re to trust in his Word and lay hold of his promises. Only as we come back to our knowledge of his Word, and to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, do we exit this darkness.

A deep darkness comes upon those who focus on their own supposed weaknesses and inabilities.

Do you know Christians who always complain about how stupid or inadequate they feel? They constantly belittle themselves and put themselves down. They compare themselves to those they admire, thinking,'93I'92m nothing like him. It'92s hopeless for me.'94

You may remember the Old Testament story of the Israelite spies sent to scout out the Promised Land. They came back saying, '93Yes, it'92s a land flowing with milk and honey. But it'92s also full of giants and walled-up cities. We'92re not able to go up against these people. Compared to them, we'92re mere grasshoppers'94 (see Num_13:1-33).

Now, these men didn'92t accuse God. They never said,'93God isn'92t able. He isn'92t strong enough.'94 They dared not voice such unbelief. Instead, they focused on themselves, saying,'93We'92re not able. We'92re like little bugs in our enemies'92 sight.'94

Yet that is not humility. And it isn'92t innocent, harmless talk. Rather, it'92s an affront to the One who is the light of the world. This light commands us to believe, '93I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me'94 (Php_4:13).

You see, when you complain of your inabilities and weaknesses, you'92re not putting yourself down. You'92re putting down your Lord. How? You'92re refusing to believe or walk in his Word. That is sin against the light. And it brings on darkness.

The Israelite spies were so focused on their inabilities, they were ready to quit. They even talked about going back to Egypt. What was God'92s response to their fears and unbelief? '93The Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? And how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?'94 (Num_14:11). God charged them with one sin: unbelief.

Today, the Lord is asking his people the same question he asked Israel:'93When will you believe what I promised you? I said my strength would come to you in your times of weakness. You'92re not to rely on the strength of your flesh. I told you I would use the weak, the poor, the despised of this world to confound the wise. I am Jehovah, everlasting strength. And I'92ll make you strong through my might, by my Spirit. So, when will you act on this? When will you trust what I say to you?

God becomes outraged when his people don'92t walk in the light of his covenant promises.

We think that when we fail to trust God in our daily situations, we only harm ourselves. We think we'92re simply missing out on his blessings. But that isn'92t the whole story. First of all, we hurt and anger our blessed Lord. And, he warns,'93If you don'92t trust me, you'92re going to develop a hardened heart.'94

We read in Hebrews: '93Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest'94 (Heb_3:8-11).

What reason is given for why God'92s people were unable to enter his rest? Was it because of adultery, covetousness, drunkenness? No, it was because of unbelief alone. Here was a nation exposed to forty years of miracles, supernatural wonders that God worked on their behalf. No other people on earth had been so loved, so tenderly cared for. They received revelation after revelation about the goodness and severity of the Lord. They heard a fresh word preached regularly from Moses, their prophet leader.

But they never mixed that word with faith. Therefore, hearing it did them no good. In the midst of all those blessings, they still didn'92t trust God to be faithful. And over time, unbelief set in. From that point on, darkness covered their wilderness journey.

Beloved, unbelief is the root cause behind all hardness of heart. Hebrews asks, '93With whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?'94 (3:17). The Greek word for grieved here signifies indignation, outrage, anger. Simply put, the people'92s unbelief kindled God'92s anger against them. Moreover, it hardened them into a continual spiral of unbelief: '93Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God'85lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin'94 (3:12-13).

Unbelief is the mother of all sins. It was the first sin committed in the Garden of Eden. And it'92s at the root of all bitterness, rebellion and coldness. That'92s why Heb_3:1-19 is addressed to believers ('93Take heed, brethren'94). The writer concludes with these chilling words: '93To whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief'94 (3:18-19).

Unbelief is most dangerous when it is voiced.

God told Israel, '93You didn'92t believe me when I said you had nothing to fear, that I would fight for you. You completely forgot that I bore you up like a child and cared for you. You never did trust me, even though I went before you, gave you a cloud to shelter you from the blazing sun, gave you a fire by night to light your way and bring you comfort in the black night. Instead, you voiced your doubts, slandered me, and made me out to be a liar'94 (see Deteronomy 1:27-35). John repeats this last phrase in the New Test-ament, stating, '93He that believeth not God hath made him a liar'94 (1Jn_5:10).

The Lord says to his people,'93I'92ve heard you talking. You'92ve been saying how inadequate you are, how abandoned you feel, how insignificant your life is. I tell you, this angers me. In fact, it so angers me that I won'92t let you go forward into my rest. I'92m about to give you over to a lifetime of wilderness wanderings.'94

You can be saved, Spirit-filled, and walking holy before God, yet still be guilty of unbelief. You may think,'93I don'92t have any unbelief.'94 But do you get upset when things go wrong? Are you fearful of failing God? Are you restless, afraid of the future?

The believer who has unconditional faith in God'92s promise enjoys complete rest. What characterizes this rest? A full, complete confidence in God'92s Word, and a total dependence on his faithfulness to that Word. Indeed, rest is the evidence of faith.

You may wonder: how does a believer'92s heart become hardened in unbelief? We see a shocking illustration in Mar_6:1-56. The disciples were in a boat headed for Bethsaida, sailing in the darkness. Suddenly, Jesus appeared, walking on the water. The twelve thought he was a ghost and shook with fear. But Christ assured them, '93Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid'94 (Mar_6:50). Then he stepped into the boat, and the wind ceased.

The next verse says everything about the disciples'92 hearts in that moment: '93They were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened'94 (6:51-52). (The Greek meaning of hardened here indicates '93stone-like, blindness, stubborn disbelief.'94) We'92re being reminded that these men had just experienced an incredible miracle. They'92d seen Jesus feed five thousand people with only five loaves and two fishes (with twelve baskets of leftovers taken up afterward). And he'92d used the twelve to do it. When Mark tells us the disciples'93considered not'94 this miracle, he means,'93They couldn'92t put it all together.'94

Was this because they had no'93afterglow service,'94 to reflect on the miracle they'92d just seen? Why is there no record of the disciples falling before their master and worshipping him as God? Why no awe, no trembling, no godly fear? Evidently, they simply left the scene, got in the boat and began rowing. Then, just after they'92d witnessed this incredible miracle, they were amazed that the wind was calmed by Jesus'92 command.

I tell you, hardening comes when you take the'93super'94 out of the supernatural. These men didn'92t have the faith to believe what they'92d just seen Jesus do. Within twenty-four hours, they'92d dismissed his miraculous feeding as some kind of natural event. They still had doubts about Christ'92s supernatural power.

The power that keeps us in Christ is supernatural.

In Mar_8:1-38, Jesus once more fed a crowd '96 this one numbering 4,000 people '96 with just seven loaves and a few fish. Again, the disciples took up several baskets full of leftovers (see Mar_8:5-8). Yet Christ discerned that the disciples still didn'92t accept his miracle-working power. So he asked them, '93Have ye your heart yet hardened?'94 (8:17).

I believe there was yet another issue at the heart of the disciples'92 unbelief. That is, these men simply couldn'92t believe God himself would choose to spend such time with them. Moreover, he was using them to shine forth his divine power.

I picture the disciples after this second feeding, sitting dumbfounded. They must have thought,'93This can'92t be happening. If Jesus truly is God, why would he choose us to share in such incredible power? Why would he eat and sleep with us? We'92re just fishermen, uneducated, with no abilities. Why would he walk out onto the water to get into our little boat, instead of revealing this miracle to a group that'92s more worthy?'94

You'92ve probably wondered the same things at times, about yourself:'93There are billions of people on this earth. Why did God speak to me? Why did he choose me?'94 I'92ll tell you why: it was an absolute miracle. Your conversion was totally supernatural. It wasn'92t just one of those unexplainable natural events that take place. No, there was nothing natural about it.

Why? Because there is nothing natural about the Christian life. It is all supernatural. It'92s a life dependent upon miracles from the very beginning (including your conversion). And it simply can'92t be lived without faith in the supernatural.

Think about it: the angels who camp around you are supernatural beings. The power that keeps you in Christ is totally supernatural. The world lives in darkness, but you have the light. Why? It'92s all because you live in the realm of the supernatural. There'92s nothing natural about your body being the temple of the Holy Ghost. Nothing is natural about being the abode of the supernatural God of the universe.

Yet this is often where hardening occurs. People begin to attribute God'92s supernatural workings in their lives to the natural. No, never! It'92s dangerous to forget his miracles. It'92s frightening to look back at divine wonders and say,'93It just happened.'94 Every time you take the super out of the supernatural, your heart hardens a little more.

Dear saint, you simply have to accept this by faith: the same supernatural God who fed crowds of thousands with just a few loaves will work supernaturally in your crises also. His miracle-working power will deliver you from all bondages. It will empower you to walk in freedom. And he'92ll use your weakness '96 indeed, your very lowest state '96 to show the world his miracles of keeping power.

That'92s where our belief comes in. Hard times are guaranteed to come upon all who follow Jesus. Yet when those times come '96 when we'92re besieged by temptation or despair, and a miracle is needed '96 we'92re to say with confidence,'93Do it again, Lord. You'92ve worked miracles before in my life. You'92ve delivered your servants supernaturally throughout history. Do it again, and be glorified. Let your strength be made perfect in my weakness.'94

By: David Wilkerson