THE WILL TO LOVE - Vital Christianity

83“Even the demons believe—and shudder” (2:19).No Christian has the right to glory in his faith who does not with that faith obey the onewho has redeemed him.The incident of Saul’s disobedience shows the danger of not obeying God. Saul failed to“completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites” (1 Sa 1:1-10). Either we are obedientand destroy our sins, or our sins will destroy us.Calling Jesus “Lord, Lord” has no meaning unless it is coupled with obedience. We mayshout out from the housetops our faith and orthodoxy, but unless they are coupled withobedience to the teachings of God’s Word, there will come a time when we find ourselvesrejected from God’s eternal presence.GOOD WORKSDoctrine and orthodoxy are not the only dangers of self-deception. The other is goodworks. Jesus warned:“Many of you will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in yourname, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” (Mt 7:22)These people were not only orthodoxy in their doctrine, they were also zealous in theirservice for Christ. They had been involved in prophesy, exorcism, and miracles. Notice thatJesus did not deny their claims.Jesus recognized that demonic faith could produce wonders. By God’s permission Satanat times exerts influence upon the physical as well as the moral and spiritual realms (Job 1:12;2:6-7). The Egyptian magicians had been enables to change rods into serpents (Ex 7:11-12). Yetin each case the result was a victory for the Lord and His people (Ex 7:12; Job 19:23-27; 42:5-6).Judas Iscariot, like the other eleven disciples, was also commissioned to heal the sick and castout demons (Mt 10:1).Paul points out that in connection with the coming of “the lawless one, the antichrist”there will be a mighty display of power, signs and wonders (2 Th 2:9-10). Paul also suggestedthat it was possible to preach, prophesy, have all knowledge and faith to move mountains, andsacrificially to give of oneself and one’s possession without having God’s love found in Christ:“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only aresounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and canfathom all mysteries and all knowledge, if I have a faith that can move mountains,but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrendermy body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Co 13:1-3).