“…some Jewish exorcists attempted to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I implore you and solemnly command you by the Jesus WHOM PAUL PREACHES!” But the evil spirit retorted, “I KNOW JESUS, AND I KNOW PAUL, BUT WHO ARE YOU?” Then the man, in whom was THE EVIL SPIRIT, leaped on them and OVERPOWERED THEM, so that THEY RAN OUT OF THAT HOUSE naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:13-16) Here are some men who thought that calling on the name of Jesus, WITHOUT KNOWING JESUS, would bring results!
It makes me think of the Parable of the 10 virgins. “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now FIVE of them WERE WISE, and FIVE WERE FOOLISH. Those who were foolish took their lamps and TOOK NO OIL WITH THEM…” (Matthew 25:1-3) The oil represents the presence of the Lord; one half of the church will dress like and look like the real thing but will not have a RELATIONSHIP (they look saved, but they ARE NOT) with the Lord. They went to try to get oil but “…they came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.’” (Matthew 25:11-12)
We must be ready when the Lord calls, we must be forgiven of our sins. How do we receive forgiveness? We ask! Lord, please forgive me for I have sinned against you. How do I know that is true? Because “…ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23)
What are the consequences of our sin? “…the WAGES (our punishment) OF SIN is death…” (Romans 6:23a) Thankfully God has a gift for us, “the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b) How do we receive this gift? We ask God to FORGIVE US of our sins, “Repent, therefore and be converted (epistrephō: to turn one’ s self about, turn away from sin), that your sins may be BLOTTED OUT, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19) “And do not be conformed (be like everyone else) to this world, but be transformed (metamorphoō: to be changed, by God, into another form) by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham