Sometimes I read scripture and, quite frankly, I don't buy it. It sounds too good to be true. If the Word of God is true, shouldn't life look, well, different? The reality I live in certainly doesn't reflect the ideal that I would expect from reading certain passages.
Take this little section I found tonight.
Now to Him who is able to do abundantly more than all that we ask or think (imagine) according to the power that is at work within us. -Ephesians 3:20
Now, if I follow this passage of scripture to its logical conclusion, then I should be a) really really excited, b) filled with faith, and c) in great awe. And here's why-this scripture blatantly implies that:
1. My imagination (and I, admittedly, have a very active one) is far too small to comprehend God's infinite power, wisdom, creativity, ability, imagination, resources, passion, strength etc.
2. Asking means something. If He can do more than we ask, there is an implication that we should ask for more. You know, that whole "ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you" thing. I'm pretty sure that's in there somewhere too. I get the feeling that if people really believed this then they would start asking for crazy, ridiculous things like impossible revival, radical miracles, unbelievable opportunities, and unearned blessing--prayers that a reasonable minded person wouldn't be foolish enough to pray.
3. Now, here's the kicker. At this point, we have to draw the line. In essence, this scripture declares that we have access to this power. This power that we can't even imagine, we have access to. In other words, nothing should be impossible for us. I think there was also something about a mustard seed in there, now that I think about it. So if we actually believed this stuff, wild events should take place, right? I mean, people should be getting healed, addictions broken, marriages restored etc. We should be hearing about how checks show up right when the water's about to get turned off and people are finding work in a horrible economy and God's saying the same thing to people on different continents and people start having mind boggling opportunity to go to countries where the gospel isn't allowed. Shouldn't there be crazy "coincidences" happening all the time and people are falling on their faces before the living God in surrender and freedom and unbelievable favor with people who have no business giving you favor? At the same time, shouldn't there be persecution? People hating us cause we love Jesus...but every time they attempt to defame the name of Christ His name grows in honor? Moreover, we wouldn't be afraid of ANYTHING. Not afraid to start a business in a slow economy or go to a country that is totally different than what we know or quit a successful job to go into ministry or talk to a coworker about Jesus or study something impractical like theatre or art because you belive God's called you to take a faith leap or selling everything you have to give to the poor or...or...or...there are a hundred thousand different scenarios that could follow that "or."
That is, if we actually took Scripture literally. But it's a good thing that we we're level headed enough not to buy into that charismatic nonsense. Otherwise, things might get a little out of hand.
