Words That Mean Nothing
As we talk about words while studying Luke 4 this week, let's read some words in this passage that actually meant nothing! Verses 33-34 say: "In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Go away! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are - the Holy One of God!" (Luke 4:33-34)
Now, Jesus heard this, and the next verse says that Jesus sternly says to the man "Be quiet!". His words meant nothing to Jesus.
Faith That Goes Beyond Acknowledgement
And this got me thinking. Because in essence, the words of that demon-possessed man were words that acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God. The demons knew Jesus and believed in Him as the anointed one of God. But their acknowledgement meant nothing because their faith was not in Him to save them.
This is an important lesson. Acknowledging Jesus as the Holy One of God is not enough to save you. Faith in Jesus is not saving faith if you don't treasure and worship Jesus because of your faith in Him.
James, the brother of Jesus, famously said this in his letter to the church. He wrote this: "But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." (James 2:18-19)
Demons, then, have faith. They believe in the one true God, and in His Son Jesus Christ. But they shudder and do not worship when they hear His name. Their faith is useless because it doesn't lead to Spirit-filled goodness.
True Faith Produces Transformation
So the words of that demon-possessed man came to nothing, despite being correct in their belief in Jesus. And I wonder how many people would call themselves believers in God, but whose words mean nothing because that belief has not gone further into worship and a godly lifestyle.
Richard S. Taylor tells a story in his book A Right Conception of Sin, which I will paraphrase here, to illustrate this. A man once tried to assure his friend of his salvation by asking if he believed the Bible, Christ's atoning death, and the promise "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." The man affirmed all these truths emphatically. "Then," said the worker with finality, "you are saved." "Oh, no, I am not," the other replied. "The same Bible also says, 'Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts,' and it happens that there are some sins I am not yet ready to forsake."
A statement of faith means nothing if you haven't put your faith in Jesus, repented of your sins, and begun to live a life with Jesus in all you do.
Don't be like the demon-possessed man, whose words of faith meant nothing at all. Let your words of faith be backed up by a sincere desire to worship and follow Jesus in all you do.
