Faithful Work

Acts 14:8-10 In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
 
HOW did Paul see the man lame from birth had faith to be healed? Is it possible to see faith?
   We know the Holy Spirit has given Paul and Barnabas the authority to v. 3 do miraculous signs and wonders. Under the Spirit’s anointing, Paul apparently had spiritual vision to see the crippled man had a faith-filled heart. Such people express a devotion to God. They are eager to hear his Word and submit to its teachings. You know the person believes the Bible is true because he understands it is the absolute guide for his life. The lame man apparently showed a devoted trust in the gospel message, and Paul noticed. In faith Paul commanded healing. The man walked.
   Yes, Paul needed faith, too, didn’t he? We might believe it would be easy for Paul to have faith that God would heal anytime he prayed for healing. God had already allowed him to heal some at Iconium. And he had the personal testimony that the Lord Jesus had blinded him and healed him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Had it become a natural work of God to heal as Paul always directed?
   We must remember each apostle is under God’s authority. They can do nothing on their own. They speak prayerfully and faithfully for the Lord to act. Yes, Acts disclosed Peter healing a lame man (Acts 3) and raising a dead woman (Acts 9). We know the Spirit transported Philip from Samaria to Gaza’s desert road (Acts 8). Yet Herod had James executed. Stephen was stoned. Paul and Barnabas faced riotous crowds who threatened to stone them. We also learn from Paul’s letters that God did not heal a chronic health problem Paul suffered (2 Corinthians 12:7).
   It was the same regarding salvation. On some occasions the gospel workers knew great joy as they watched people submit to believe in Jesus. At other times they witnessed people condemn Jesus’ name and threaten them. Nothing was guaranteed from day to day.
   The apostles and faithful evangelists were experiencing life under God’s authority. They worked to teach the gospel. Physical and spiritual healing did not always happen. But these wonders did happen at the times the Lord had chosen. Faithful sowing leads to an abundant harvest.  
   Acts is the history of the church working for the salvation of all. Not all will be saved. Not all will be healed. But God called the apostles, and he calls us now to be faithful people who expect God to fulfill his will on earth. In obedience we work with him and watch him respond.