Simon the sorcerer believed that God’s power and blessings could be bought by money: ‘When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 8:18-19) Peter made it very clear that the gift of the Holy Spirit was not available for purchase, and it’s worth reminding ourselves (since we live in a consumer society and believe that money can buy pretty much everything we need) that God’s blessing is freely available to all His children. Eph 1:3 reminds us that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. As Iain Gordon comments,“The Christian life is becoming (in your experience) what you already are (in your position in Christ).”
We often feel inadequate when we look at the apostles and see the wonders they performed, but we need to remind ourselves that these were ‘unschooled, ordinary men’ whose lives were turned upside-down by Jesus. (Acts 4:13) James reminds us that our prayers are powerful and effective, telling us that Elijah was simply human as we are yet achieved so much not because of his greatness or goodness but because of God’s power (see James 5:17-18). Following the healing of the lame man in Acts 3:1-10, Peter is at pains to point out that the healing came through Jesus and not through his own goodness or righteousness (Acts 3:12). Far from being daunted by the miracles we see in the Bible, we should be encouraged, for we belong to the same God who has always used flawed, imperfect people for His glory and fame.
Andrew Wommack says, “You need to live from the standpoint that God has already done it. He’s provided everything you need. It’s not a matter of trying to get God to move in your life; it’s a matter of you moving over into agreement with Him and receiving what He has already provided.” Instead of trying to ‘earn’ the right to work for God (like Simon the sorcerer), we need to realise that ‘Christianity begins not with a big DO, but with a big DONE.’ (Watchman Nee) In pouring out His Spirit, God has already done all that is necessary for us to live a life that is abundant and overflowing with blessings.
