smith_c@ncsatl.uucp (Spawn of a Jewish Carpenter) (10/30/89)
DEMON: 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!
JESUS: Be quiet! Come out of him!
The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a
shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other,
"What is this? ... He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey
him."
[Mark 1:24-27]
On the faith/justification/works argument, I posit the following: How
can we be saved?
The demon has made several interesting assertions:
1. The demon acknowledges that God is real.
2. The demon acknolwedges that Jesus is the Holy One of God.
3. The demon recognizes the power of God.
4. The demon fears God (Have you come to destroy us?)
5. The demon asks Jesus what Jesus wants of him.
6. The demon is obedient to God (the demon left the man).
So the question is this: Is the demon saved?
Well, no, for several reasons. Primarily, there's more to believing in God
than simply acknowledging the existence of God; acknowledging his power;
fearing God; asking God what he wants of us; obedience to God. So what's
left? What comes after submission to the will of God? I suppose it all boils
down to asking God to let you receive the salvation he's already given you
(justification). This is what Confirmation is supposed to be all about:
Accepting the gift of Baptism. The demon isn't saved because the demon
submitted himself to the power of God but not to the love of God; the demon
didn't ask to be saved or even want anything to do with God. People who are
obedient to the Law strictly out of fear are not necessarily saved (Jesus and
the rich young man).
In The Last Temptation of Christ, Kazantzakis had one character wonder with
amazement and incredulity if it were possible for God's mercy to be so great
that one day God might forgive Satan and welcome him back into the Kingdom of
Heaven.
I'm not presenting a black and white picture here. I don't have all the
answers. If I did, I suppose I wouldn't be asking questions and posting
opinions on this forum. My favorite C.S. Lewis quote is still on the courtesy
of Deep Heaven.
Yours in Christ,
SPAWN OF A JEWISH CARPENTER
gatech!ncsatl!smith_c