CREDIT: blog.kcm.org
Hello folk, this is a little discussion on Acts 3:1-8. Dig in!
And Peter and John were going up to the Temple at the ninth hour for prayer.
And a certain man, who was lame from his mother’s womb, was carried, whom they placed every day beside the door of the Temple called Beautiful Gate to ask for alms from those going into the Temple:
who, when he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, was asking to take money.
And Peter with John, when he looked intently at him, said, “Look upon us.”
And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to take something from them.
And Peter said, “I do not have silver and gold for myself, but what I do have, this I give to you: in the name of Y’shua Messiah of Nazareth you must rise and you must continually walk.”
And as he took hold of him by the right hand, he was raising him: and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened,
and leaping up he stood and was walking and entered the Temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God:
We have been told that this man expected to receive/take something from them and erroneously thought it included receiving his healing.
This is far from the picture here. What is depicted here is that despite the faith command, the man would have stayed put, not giving action to get his miracle. Literally, Peter had to force him to act.
CREDIT: blog.kcm.org
Not until Peter grabbed him up, did the man attempt anything. It was in the act that the miracle ensued. We must act like if what God said has happened/is happening, then it will happen. Imagine how embarrassed Peter would have been if after the command and lifting up the fellow, nothing happened.
Peter was ready to put his reputation on the line because he trusted God above all else (he was fully persuaded that what God promised, He was able to perform).
God showed up to confirm/perform His word. You must be ready to put your reputation on the line trusting God's integrity. Give action to your faith! You will note that despite Peters faith command, the man did not obey.
He had to be made to obey. He was told to stand and walk, yet he didn't. He was then made to before he could. The man could have rationalised thus: "Can't Peter see that I am paralysed? Is he mad to tell me to rise? When I am well, then I will rise. Till then, count me out.
Once I can see that my legs are ok, before I will rise". He would have remained lame! Has a faith command been given to you? Or have you given a faith command? Don't wait to see first or you will never see. Start doing (as if it is already happening), then you will see.
That is actually the kernel of Mark 11:23-24. As soon as the command is given, believe it is happening. If it is happening, what next?
Do the what next?
Have you asked God for something? Then act like you have been given it. If you have it, what will you be doing? Start doing it then! God is waiting on you and not the other way round!
The word called "receive" in the bible actually means to "take". Take it!
The testimony (verse 8) only happens if the action (verse 7) is done.