Is God a genie? We keep Him bottled up until we want something. Then we uncork the bottle, let God out and ask (or demand) God to grant our wish and we wait for Him to work His magic. When we're done with Him, we put Him back in His bottle until the next time we need or want something.
Many people treat God this way. They read a passage like this and think God will give them anything they ask. In fact there are a slew of religious teachers and showmen that proclaim the reason you're poor is that you haven't "named it and claimed it" in Jesus' name. Some expound you'd never have to be sick; proclaiming if you'd have enough faith God would give you instant healing.
As the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, God certainly can take care of your financial needs. There's no question that God can and does miraculous healing. And Jesus did say ask Him anything in His name and He would give it to you. However, the genie approach to prayer is not what Jesus had in mind when He said those words.
If you read closely the context of these passages, you'll discover that Jesus is talking about passing on the mantle of fulfilling God's mission and purpose. He's going back to The Father. He's expecting the disciples to pick up the cause and pursue it with all their being, heart, soul, mind and strength. If their passion and purpose is to fulfill God's will and they are relying on God's power to fulfill it, God says ask away. If their desire is to accomplish God's task, with God's power, to God's glory, then go for it.
God, I don't want to treat you like a genie. You don't exist for me. I exist for you. I want to be Your servant. I want to be Your messenger and to accomplish Your purpose for me. I want people to see You, come to know You, experience Your grace and Your victory, to revel in Your glory and majesty, to bask in the light of Your presence, to love You.
No comments:
Post a Comment