Today’s Devotional: Proclaiming without Believing
Brian Deacon isn’t a Christian. It’s a wholly unremarkable fact—many billions of people don’t believe. But Brian is a bit different. Despite his unbelief, he’s had a direct hand in leading hundreds of millions of people to faith in Christ.
Brian portrays Jesus in the Jesus Film, which by some estimates has helped bring 225 million people to the Christian faith. He isn’t the first evangelist to not fully believe the message he spread. In the following devotional from Our Daily Journey with God, Sheridan Voysey writes about another “unbelieving evangelist:”
Jesus once healed a blind beggar (John 9). The means were unconventional—saliva, mud, and a dip in the creek. When the beggar returned with sight, his community plied him for answers (vv.8-10). He told them that a man called Jesus had healed him, though he didn’t know much more than that (v.11). The beggar was dragged before the Pharisees, who were incensed at Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. “I don’t know whether He is a sinner” (v.25), the former sightless man said to the Pharisees regarding Jesus. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”
Read the rest of the devotional at ODJ’s site.
Do you know of other people who have preached Jesus without believing in Him?
This is one thing I am sure of: John 20:31 :But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name”.
“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give then repentence to the acknowledging of the truth:” 2 Timothy 2:25 KJV
I wouldn’t want to use names but have experienced more than one teacher/preacher who began teaching truths without totally believing and over time were brought to a strong belief.
God has a way of dealing with unbelief when the seeker is open and honest. Perhaps the most recognizable example is C.S. Lewis.
This blind man,did believe. He believe in the man who healed him. At the time he didn’t know who Jesus was, but he believe him. And he did not preach Jesus saving salvation. He was part of Gods plan of salvation, and that part was the miracles done by Jesus that those who saw the miracles might believe that he is the son of God, as shown in John9:3 then in John9:35-38 the blind man believed in Jesus after Jesus found him when he was thrown out of the synagogue. So the Blind did believe.
I belive that Jesus is the son of God. I know he can heal. I also know sometimes your sometimes he says no, wait, however I wonder what his saying to me. I need healing for my back. my faith is challenged. Because I wonder how come the person that does not believe gets healed and I that believe isn’t.
God never says no to healing it already a done deal… his word says in 2 Peter 2:24 “by his stripes we WERE healed”. I have learned very much through the teachings of Andrew Wommack Ministries (awmi.net). if you want the truth… that’s where you’ll find it. also… The School of Christ (theschoolofchrist.org)… both are excellent. My love for God and knowledge of the Word are growing and i am so excited… it’s fantastic.
Love in Christ
Well, not everyone is healed while on this earth. Paul prayed over and over for healing, but he was told that God’s grace was sufficient for him. When we stand before Him all of our wounds will be gone. He alone will be the One with all of the scars. Our family has faithfully served the Lord for generations. My mom in particular is an amazing godly woman. She has many health conditions and has prayed tens of thousands of times for healing. To date, we have yet to see the healing, however, it is important to remember that our afflications can bring spiritual growth in ways that other trials can not. When we are young Christians we ask, “Why me, Lord?” when we are afflicted. We get a little bit older and then we ask, “Lord, am I being disciplined for sin in my life that I don’t know about?…If so, please show me.” When we are mature we ask the Lord, “How can I honor you in this affliction?” We are instructed to ask, seek and knock…to bring our petitions before the throne of grace. He is all merciful and He alone knows the perfect timing and the perfect path in order for us to grow the most,and for His glory. May the Lord touch you in your affliction. Lord, I ask that you would heal Anita, but if your perfect will is another plan, I ask that you give her the grace to weather this storm and to grow in her spirit and for Your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen!
healing is assigned to whome god heals for example in luke 8:26-35 this healing was not asked for but sometimes the healing is not for the person who gets it. but for the ones who are looking on. in addition you have to remember that he will never put more on you then you can handle, be content with god decision and ask him to help you endure.