In today’s parable, Jesus describes what happens when people hear the Gospel, claim to accept it, but then continue living in their former way of life. He is warning that these people are extremely vulnerable to being overtaken by Satan because they don’t really know Christ.
“When the unclean spirit comes out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it then says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they come in and live there; and the last condition of that person becomes worse than the first.”
Luke 11:24-26
The problem is that there are so many people who claim to be Christians, but they have never surrendered to Jesus. Actual saving faith produces evidence in the lives of those who truly believe. It is not sufficient to just say, “I believe.”
Anyone can say, “I believe.” The scripture tells us that even the demons believe and tremble. (James 2:19)
For true redemption to occur in the life of any person, one must truly believe by faith. Evidence of a Christ-filled heart is revealed in changed lives. This change is shown in the way we love God and others and in obedience to God.
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6
If you merely turn over a new leaf and clean up some of your behavior, but don’t replace your former way of life with the righteousness of Jesus, then you have not been born again. (Romans 13:14)
“…knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for the one who has died is freed from sin.”
Romans 6:6 & 7
It isn’t that true believers become sinless. But our desire to honor and obey God supplants the desire to elevate self and seek worldly pleasure. True believers hate the thought of sinning against God. Committed believers stay connected in their personal relationship with God, through the Holy Spirit.
Saul of Damascus is a great example of one who was thoroughly lost and then redeemed. Saul had all the knowledge about God. He was looking for the Messiah, but patently rejected Jesus. But then he was captivated by a life-changing event.
We first meet Saul (later Paul) at the stoning of Stephen. (Acts 7). Saul believed in God. He was a Pharisee and an expert in religious studies. But he was an enemy of God. He rejected Jesus.
Now Saul approved of putting Stephen to death. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and he would drag away men and women and put them in prison.
Acts 8:3
But then he met Jesus, and his life changed. Saul believed in his heart that he had met Christ.
Now, as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told to you what you must do.
Acts 9:3-6
Saul began to show evidence of redemption. He wanted to obey Jesus and was baptized. Baptism didn’t save Saul. But remember, obedience is evidence of a changed heart.
Annanais said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;
Acts 9:17 & 18
Then Paul began to tell others about Jesus. That is one more indication of a life transformed.
“…and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
Acts 9:20
And Paul began to grow in his newfound grace. Spiritual growth is evident in the life of every true believer.
But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 9:22
But now, having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
Romans 6:22
Do you want to know if your salvation experience is real? Check out Romans 10:8-13.
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 