by Elmo Winters
Nearly every day we hear a story about how someone defied the laws of nature or of some experience that is at best unexplainable. It may be in the form of an infant surviving extreme premature birthing, or the survival of ordinary people after some catastrophic natural disaster, or some unimaginable outcome against the most challenging odds. We quickly identify these occurrences as miracles without question. In fact, they perfectly fit the definition of a miracle – an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers.
The key to understanding miracles is found in the fact that they transcend all known natural powers or logical explanations. As believers we readily accept that they are the activities of the supernatural, specifically the things that God does on a regular basis. When we consider the biblical account of creation, we see the very origin of everything to be the result of God miraculously speaking. The words of Genesis 1:3 clearly tells us, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” And then we read in verse 9, “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.” And this God did repeatedly as the world was brought into being. We can even conclude that the Bible, the written Word of God, is a continuous presentation of one miracle after another.
From the beginning of mankind in the Garden of Eden to our very existence today, we see the picture of an all-powerful creator operating in a manner that totally escapes the natural understanding and wisdom of man. Moses was confronted with this phenomenon when he stood witnessing a burning bush that was not being consumed. The Jews witnessed this at the parting of the Red Sea, along with so many mighty acts by God during their wilderness wandering. The New Testament continued the flow of miracles as Jesus did great wonders throughout His lifetime. He turned water into wine; fed thousands with two barley loaves of bread and five little fishes; He healed many and even raised the dead back to life. How does one logically explain these things? We don’t; we simply rationalize that they are miracles.
In His infinite wisdom however, God reserved His greatest miracle for those whom he loved the most, mankind. His ultimate miracle, the miracle of all miracles, was salvation: God’s plan of reconciliation with and redemption of man. He came in the form of His own son as a baby born of a virgin. That baby, Jesus (Christ) lived 33 miraculous years sharing the love of God with so many. Yet, as had been prophesized He would sacrificially die by crucifixion on a cross, be buried, and on the third day rise from the dead. It was through all of this that the words of John the Baptist became clear, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
It is this miracle of salvation that takes away the sin of all who believe in the redemptive work of Christ. That is the message of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The key here is “whosoever believeth in him,” for salvation, although free, is not automatic. It does require faith, sincerely believing in the work of God through His son, Christ. Attempts to experience Salvation by any other means are futile; it is the gift of God according to His grace.
For this reason, we are instructed by Christ to go into all of the world and tell others about this miracle of Salvation. Far too many, countless millions, have never heard the Good News (Gospel) of Christ. Thus, it is imperative that believers reach out to those and bring them into the blessing of this powerful gesture of God. It is why I wrote the book, “Growing By Going,” where the simple principles of leading people to Christ are shared. Additionally, I work tirelessly to train and coach others on becoming effective witnesses, through the KINGDOM School of Witnessing.
