Confirming Salvation

"This salvation that was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."
Hebrews 2:3b&4

By now you know that I believe we are all ministers of Jesus Christ. I believe that we are his hands, feet, and mouth on the earth. We are to deliver the message of salvation in the same way Jesus did. It is interesting that Jesus did not just deliver the message of salvation only through his words, he also delivered it with a demonstration of the power of God. In fact, this was what caught the attention of the skeptics. They had heard new teaching before, they had experienced the rise of dynamic religious leaders, but their teachings all proved to be ineffective to change lives. But Jesus not only taught with authority, he backed it up by the things he did. So should we.
    It strikes me that this scripture could be written from the viewpoint of a curious unbeliever in the days of Jesus' ministry. They would say that Jesus first brought this message and that those who followed him had confirmed the message to them. But they would also say that it was further confirmed by the things they saw, not just the things they heard. I wonder if people are saying that now?
    The message of salvation is amazing. It is an eternity-changing gift for all. But people need to not only hear the message, they need to see it in us. When people see signs, wonders, and miracles, they naturally are drawn to the author of them. When they see the gifts of the Holy Spirit alive in us, they are drawn to find out what it is all about. You see, God has placed eternity in the hearts of all men. Why do you think people are drawn to theaters to watch stories abut the supernatural? Whether they are about angels or demons, people are curious. They are also curious about the reality of God. They want to see and experience him. Just hearing the words may not be enough. They need to see salvation in a touchable way.
    People need to see us praying for others. They need to see us laying hands on the sick and believing that God is going to heal them. They need to know that it actually happens. They need to see the gifts of the Holy Spirit alive and working in our lives. All these things testify to the reality of Christ and his salvation. The apostle Paul said, "The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power." (1 Corinthians 4:20). I don't want to just talk like a Christian, I want to act like one!