IT IS NOT ME, BUT THE COMPANY THAT I KEEP
It cannot be that what Jesus meant was against the Word. After a miracle such as the healing of a leper in Mark 1: 40-44, Jesus tells the man whom He healed to not tell anyone about the miracle. It is almost impossible not to tell what God has done! You might be interpreted as someone proud or boastful, but you have to tell the wonders of what God has done. Notice that it goes on to say in this text in Mark:
“But when the man left, he began to proclaim it freely. He spread the word so widely that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly, but had to stay out in deserted places. Still, people kept coming to Him from everywhere.” (v. 45)
What was the intent in Jesus prohibiting this man from speaking about his miracle? The concept is very simple. When you put your miracle above the Miracle Maker, you are saying that your miracle is greater than the One who performed it. In order that Jesus be exalted above everything, it is greater to talk about who Jesus is than to talk about what He did for you.
I like to tell others, especially those who are not jealous or filled with envy, what God has done. Honestly , you have to choose your hearers very carefully. Some of your closest friends do not like to listen or believe anything you say. It is, however, very encouraging when others ask you questions and show interest in what God has done.
After a while, the revivals all look the same. All you remember are the faces of joy and tears glorifying God for what He has done. The stories in my heart about the miracles cannot be forgotten. How can you forget a life that was drastically changed with a single prayer? Never! I have faces in my memory which will be there forever. All I remember is the glory of God and the joy in the pastor’s face! There is a sense of awe and amazement at what God has done.
People ask me how I feel about all of this. Well, have you have seen the Verizon commercial where the man with the Verizon account stands alone and behind him are all of those who belong to his telephone network? Like this man, I am not alone. It is really not me, but the company that I keep. Behind me is a cloud of witnesses whom I trust, believe in, and will die for. One of them is the Son of Man, Jesus Christ my dear Savior and Baptizer of my soul.
Talk about Jesus, give your testimony, put Jesus FIRST, witness all you can. In the end He will get the glory and the honor. Avoid unbelieving personal friends; they will not listen anyway. Find the broken, the rejected, the poor, the unknown and especially the lost. They will hear you and they will be changed forever, just like you!
Rick Bonfim
Edited by Betty McKinney
I agree…becareful who you share with… many do not believe and only want to poke fun at your miracles and experiences…they have neither experienced themselves or do not believe…this can be a faith killing thing….like “casting your pearls before swine.”
Comment by TJ Marsh — July 16, 2007 @ 8:43 am
What a good word and so true! It is all about Him and His Glory! May the Lord strengthen and bless you as you continue to serve Him, Rick, for you are truly an instrument of His Grace–Ben and Kay
Comment by Kay Harris — July 16, 2007 @ 9:14 am