If there is anything believers must watch out for, it is pointing to self for good deeds done, otherwise we follow the trail of the false beast that takes glory to another other than the living God.
Then I saw another beast rising up out of the land [itself]; he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke (roared) like a dragon. He exerts all the power and right of control of the former beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell upon it to exalt and deify the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed, and to worship him. He performs great signs (startling miracles), even making fire fall from the sky to the earth in men’s sight. And because of the signs (miracles) which he is allowed to perform in the presence of the [first] beast, he deceives those who inhabit the earth, commanding them to erect a statue (an image) in the likeness of the beast who was wounded by the [small] sword and still lived. Revelation 13:11-14 (AMPC)
Our reference text is instructive on how true ministers of the grace of God respond to questions as to the source of all good deeds, miracles etc. Acts 4:7-12 (AMPC) reads:
And they set the men in their midst and repeatedly demanded, By what sort of power or by what kind of authority did [such people as] you do this [healing]? Then Peter, [because he was] filled with [and controlled by] the Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and members of the council (the Sanhedrin), If we are being put on trial [here] today and examined concerning a good deed done to benefit a feeble (helpless) cripple, by what means this man has been restored to health, Let it be known and understood by all of you, and by the whole house of Israel, that in the name and through the power and authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, [but] Whom God raised from the dead, in Him and by means of Him this man is standing here before you well and sound in body. This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.
Peter lifted the veil, pointing to Christ, the power and the source of the healing. Everyone sent of the Lord must be careful not to appropriate God’s glory. Exodus 20:3-5, Isaiah 42:8b, Isaiah 48:11 and John 5:44 are pointers for us. Our necessary service is to point to Him and reveal Him to all men. Will you? or will you portray yourself? Shalom.
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