Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. (Acts 19:13-17)
When God works in a mighty way, pretenders often seek to copy what was done or the program which led to the work of God for their own glory. Though their own efforts may indeed seem to work for a while, eventually their works will fail and others will see them for what and whose they are. No matter how glamorous or fancy their skills may be, trying to do the work of God in the flesh will fail for it cannot last if it is of this world or of the flesh. Many such spiritual events that seem to work are the work of a different spirit than the Holy Spirit of God. They only work for a time because God allows it but it will not stand in the face of those who truly know God and follow Him and His Word.
We are to test every spirit whether it be of God and glorify Him in all things. We are to be discerning that we may warn the unruly, resist the devil not with the weapons of this world but with the Armour of God, and stand strong in the joy of the Lord who is our power and fortress. We fear our God, not for what He will do, for we as His children are safe in His arms, but because of who He is, in reverence and awe of our Holy and Righteous God. We magnify His Name who has magnified His Word above His Name and rejoice in Him who is our God and our Saviour, The Lord Jesus Christ. Our obedience to Him and our life in Him will lift Him up and He will bring others to Himself, drawn to His power and convicted by His Word.
For us to reach others with the Gospel, God calls His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet