DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SECOND-HAND FAITH

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SECOND-HAND FAITH

"Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, 'We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.' …. And the evil spirit answered and said, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?' " (Acts 19:13, 15)

Here were the seven sons of Sceva, who was a Jewish chief priest, who were trying to do ministry by emulating Paul. They were using Paul's method of casting out demons by commanding the spirits to leave in the name of the Lord Jesus. That is a proper approach, but there one small problem. They did not have a personal faith – only faith based on Paul. It is apparent that they were basing their ministry on Paul instead of experiencing the power and authority of Christ personally.

I am reminded of the time that a demon oppressed boy was brought to Jesus' disciples for healing, but they could not cast out the demon. Jesus came upon the scene and delivered the boy. When the disciples asked why they could not cast out the demon, Jesus said it was because of their unbelief. Even though they had seen Jesus do it many times, their faith had not yet become personal.

Personal faith is essential in spiritual things. Faith for salvation cannot be based on my parents' faith. It has to become a reality in my own life. I cannot claim holiness based on the standards of a church that I attend. It is empty unless it come from my personal faith of being separated to God.

The devils will laugh at my pronouncements of faith unless they come from my personal relationship with Jesus. If I say, "My parents were Christian," or, "I go to XYZ church," they know that I have not put my faith in the Lord Jesus on a personal level. I will never get to heaven by standing on someone elses' shoulders or hanging on their coat-tails. I have to place my faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice individually – not as a part of some group.

I like shopping in second-hand stores. But when it comes to my spiritual walk, second-hand faith is not enough. I cannot rely on hand-me-down faith to get me to heaven. Jesus died for the sins of the world, but the gift of salvation is an individual matter. I want the demons of hell to know that my faith is only in the Lord Jesus Christ, not in myself or in my parents' faith or religious heritage or in the church I attend. Only faith in the Lord Jesus will bring the power of Christian living.

Love, Dad