JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings - The Lame and the Christian

     Peter and John were walking toward the temple and they were about to pass the gate called Beautiful. The gate had sick and impoverished people who were asking for alms. As Peter and John passed by, they saw a man that was lame ever since he was in his mother’s womb. Let us try to get a mental picture of the lame man.
          a.He was obviously sitting down, with one hand raised and head bowed down low.
          b.His lower body (from the legs to the feet) was just skin and bones. There were no leg activity since birth and he was     already above 40 years of age.

     One question struck me, why him? There were many others that they could reach out but why this particular man? The Bible never mentioned he was a Christian or a believer so, why him of all people?

     Another thing that took my notice, how come Peter fastened his eyes unto the lame man? It is obvious that Peter gave his      attention to this particular man, why? Was it pity that moved Peter to do so?

     Now, this man obviously was not paying attention to whoever passes him by. He was used to it! He was used on getting neglected and getting less attention. “Anyway, I am just a beggar,” he probably thought. He was used to taking alms (charity); taking scraps and left-over from other people. He felt he had no use in society because of his disability.

     Peter saw something in this man. Peter was filled by the Holy Spirit and it was the Holy Spirit that moved him to have compassion. It was not Peter who chose this man but it was the power of the Holy Spirit. He was chosen because he will be used by God for His greater glory.

     But this man was not paying attention to Peter. That is why Peter commanded him, “Look on us.” Peter commanded him to shift his focus to Peter. It was very obvious that Peter needed his attention, to look upon him, to focus on what he is about to say and do.

     The lame man gave heed because he expected to get something from them. He heeded because he wanted to have something; something to pass him by; something that can help him to survive another day. He heeded because he expected to get some scrap and left-over from Peter. He expected something but not what he really needed; to be healed from his affliction. For he knew that for forty years of being lame, he had survived each passing day with the hope of walking or standing on his own two feet lost. His hope was not about healing but survival.

The LAME Christian

As I read Acts 3, I can see a similarity between that situation to the present.

          ·     Lost hope - Like the lame man who lines up with other beggars at the gate, Christians line themselves up with unbelievers who have lost hope because of their situation. Phrases of hopelessness can be heard out of their lips such as;
               a.     Lord, why have you forsaken us?
               b.     If God is love, how come is he toying with us?
               c.     The promises of Christ probably are true in the end times.

          Like the lame man, who stopped praying for healing, who stopped hoping, Christians stopped praying for what they really need, they stopped hoping and lost their faith on God.

          ·     Accepted defeat - The lame man, after losing hope, accepted that he would be lame forever. He accepted that he can no longer be like other people who could walk, run and jump. He accepted that fact and was defeated.

          Christians, who have problems and persecutions, accepted their situation. They accepted that these problems will be with them forever unsolved. They accepted the fact that these problems are too big for them and can never be solved that is why they settled for smaller fish (prayers) to catch.

          ·     Mourns on one’s affliction - Notice that the lame man never raised his head while asking for alms. He kept his head low, gazing at his situation. He was ashamed for what he was, for what he has become and for what he has and has not. He was looking at his sickly position and felt sorry for himself.

          Problematic Christians often testify their problems rather than the victory God has given them. They magnify the problems rather than God. They felt sorry for themselves and settled for something less.

          Self-pity is a virus that kills faith. It is false humility and it is a lie that the devil is injecting to Christians. Self-pity kills confidence. Self-pity kills relationships. Self-pity denies the power of God in our lives.

          ·     Expecting less - When Peter called his attention, the lame man was expecting something to be given, something that will keep him for another day. He never expected big for his focus was small and his hope has been lost.

          The same thing is happening to Christians right now. Because of their problematic situations they stopped dreaming big and planning larger-scale projects. They just settled for scraps, a piece of blessing here and there, that will be enough for them to survive another day.

The Truth and not the Lie

          ·     Looking unto Jesus - Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

          ·     Allow the moving of the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

          ·     Move according to what God has planned for us - John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

          ·     Expect BIG, Expect MORE and Expect the BEST - Prov 10:22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Deut 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Deut 28:8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Deut 28:13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.

TRUSTING ON GOD NOT ON THE WORLD

     Most Christians unknowingly are embracing the teachings of the world and not of God. They began trusting more on others than on God. If God is your firm foundation, then you know that He is the Giver, the Provider, the Healer, the Problem-Solver, and our Everything. Do you want something? God is the Giver. Do you need anything badly? God is the Provider. Are you in pain? God is the Healer. Do you have problems? God is the Problem-Solver. Are your dreams and plans seemed impossible? God is our Everything.

     The lame man was still waiting for that something to be given. But instead of getting silver or gold he was given what he truly needed. He was healed of his affliction. He began leaping, walking and praising God. Note, that he was not able to walk since birth, thus his lower body gained muscles (how can his feet and ankle bones have strength without any muscle tissue to carry on the strength needed). Not only that, his mental faculties were adjusted to coordinate his lower body with his brain. Imagine not knowing how to balance your body (much more walking) for more than 40 years yet when he was healed he began leaping first then walked with Peter and John inside the temple. When God gives, He gives completely; nothing missing, nothing lacking but complete.

     Brethren, don’t settle for less when you can have it all. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Prov 3:5-6).