THE WILL TO LOVE - Vital Christianity

84Service in the name of Christ is, by itself, no guarantee that we are true followers of Him.The phrase “in His name” is repeated three times implying that some of then used “the name” asa kind of magical formula or incantation. We see this in the case of some Jews in Ephesus whenPaul was ministering there. Luke points out:“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name ofthe Lord Jesus over those who were demon possessed. They would say, ‘In thename of Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons ofSceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this” (Ac 19:13-14).Luke then tells the reaction of the demons to such a dangerous practice.“The evil spirits answered them, ‘Jesus I know and Paul I know about, but who areyou?’ Then the man who had the spirits jumped on them and overpowered themall. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”(vv. 15-16)There were and are many charlatans who render lip service to Jesus Christ, and who useHis name to produce impressive effects. But those who use His name under false pretenses needto realize that the day of reckoning will come when their motives will be exposed and they willbe banished from the presence of God.Satan can give those under his authority the power to perform miracles and do great featsmaking gullible people think that their power is from God. Simon was such an example:“Now from some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city andamazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great andall the people, both high and low, gave his their attention and exclaimed, ‘Thisman is the divine power known as the Great Power.’ And they followed himbecause he had amazed them for a long time with his magic” (8:9-11).Simon was a preacher who authenticated his preaching by performing miracles. And hedid all in the power of Satan. We know he was not a follower of Christ since it was not untilPhilip came preaching concerning the kingdom of God that Simon himself became a believer.And at that time he was introduced to the miracle working power of Jesus which so impressedhim that he tried to offer the apostles money in order to have the same power.The world, and often the church as well, always enjoy it when spectacular miracles areperformed. This is not new to our day and age. Four hundred years ago Martin Luther confessed:“I am convinced that if someone were to arise here today and perform just one sign,whole crowds would fall for it. That is how the crazy mob behaves. If someonepulls out something new in front of them and makes them stare, they forsakeeverything, the word and doctrine, and go gaping after that. And you can shout