Jesus said, “all things are possible for those who believe,” and “believe that you HAVE RECEIVED and it WILL BE yours.” We can either take him at his word or come up with all kinds of explanations and rationalizations about why he didn’t really mean those things. Folks will bring up theological points like context and audience, but the bottom line is, he said them.
For reference purposes, here are the passages:
MARK 9:22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 11:22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
“All things are possible for those who believe,”
“believe that you HAVE RECEIVED, and it WILL BE yours.”
You could say all things are possible for those who believe they have received.
Where does your mind go when you read those statements? Do you say amen, and that’s it, no matter the circumstance? Do you think of a time you prayed and nothing happened? Do you think of a time when you felt like you had a word from God, but it didn’t happen? Do you think of a theological system you were taught and reason these passages into a comfortable place in your mind? Where do your thoughts go when you read those statements? Your thoughts and emotions will give you a clue about what you believe in your heart.
Believe that you have received what?
“Believe that you have received, and it will be yours.” Believe that you have received what? What can you legally expect to receive? What can you legitimately pray for and expect to receive if you believe? Everything that God has given you in Christ.
So that begs the question, what has he given you in Christ? Everything he accomplished, paid for, and received in Christ’s atoning work.
What did he accomplish and pay for? That’s the real question.
Look at it from this perspective; We received an inheritance from God. Jesus died as the testator of God’s last will and testament to enact everything that God left us in his will.
Jesus died to leave us an inheritance
Hebrews 9: 15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.
We are joint-heirs with Jesus, heirs of God
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Jesus inherited Heaven and all that God has
Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness as our inheritance made secure forever in the shed blood of Jesus.
It’s legal for you to expect everything consistent with the nature and character of God. For instance, God is a healer, provider, comforter, counselor, and father; it is legal for you to expect to experience God in all of those capacities. It’s is theologically correct for you to expect to receive from God things that are consistent with those aspects of his character. He has given them to you, and they are yours, as you believe.
Homework Assignment
If I may, I’d like to give you a homework assignment. Make a list of all the things Jesus accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection. Just start with a list of things you know, write them down. Then list the scriptures for those things; it’s ok to use a search engine to help you. Then meditate on the fact that each one of those things is yours now. I’d love to see your lists in the comments.
