FAITH NOT FAKE
"And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul (Acts 19:11). Then some of the traveling Jewish exorcists [men who adjure evil spirits] also undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, I solemnly implore and charge you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches (Acts 19:13)! But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you" (Acts 19:15 AMP)? As we read the conclusion of this incident, we see that the demoniac became so violent as to strip at least two of the exorcists of their clothing and wound them (see v. 16).
The world makes attempts to appear powerful by imitating certain attributes and actions of God. The worldly use language from the Bible like "born again," "restored," "reconcile," "love," "salvation," "truth," "resurrection," etc. The world makes vain offers of peace, a better life and happiness. They labor at producing imitations of God-blessed living, not to save mankind, but to hook mankind into subservience to sin.
God attests to the reality that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind by His Word and by "unusual and extraordinary miracles." When the people of Ephesus heard about this incident, a fear, of such a divine nature, fell on them that it caused the name of the Lord Jesus to be praised and magnified.
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but it only leads to destruction. Faith [trust in, reliance on and obedience to Jesus Christ], on the other hand, is life-giving. Imitation is hypocritical at best and deadly at its worst. Faith partakes of the life of Christ and the Spirit of God, satisfying the soul and transforming the person into a child of God. Jesus Christ called to people to quit being religious imitators and become men and women of faith. He calls yet to people today. Real is so much more satisfying than an imitation. Think about it.
"And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul (Acts 19:11). Then some of the traveling Jewish exorcists [men who adjure evil spirits] also undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, I solemnly implore and charge you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches (Acts 19:13)! But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you" (Acts 19:15 AMP)? As we read the conclusion of this incident, we see that the demoniac became so violent as to strip at least two of the exorcists of their clothing and wound them (see v. 16).
The world makes attempts to appear powerful by imitating certain attributes and actions of God. The worldly use language from the Bible like "born again," "restored," "reconcile," "love," "salvation," "truth," "resurrection," etc. The world makes vain offers of peace, a better life and happiness. They labor at producing imitations of God-blessed living, not to save mankind, but to hook mankind into subservience to sin.
God attests to the reality that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind by His Word and by "unusual and extraordinary miracles." When the people of Ephesus heard about this incident, a fear, of such a divine nature, fell on them that it caused the name of the Lord Jesus to be praised and magnified.
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but it only leads to destruction. Faith [trust in, reliance on and obedience to Jesus Christ], on the other hand, is life-giving. Imitation is hypocritical at best and deadly at its worst. Faith partakes of the life of Christ and the Spirit of God, satisfying the soul and transforming the person into a child of God. Jesus Christ called to people to quit being religious imitators and become men and women of faith. He calls yet to people today. Real is so much more satisfying than an imitation. Think about it.
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
