THE
FAITH OF DEVILS
"Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and
tremble." -- James 2:19
Did you know that Satan and
the very demons of hell believe all the truth? They have a faith. And their
faith is thoroughly orthodox. They are all Trinitarians. They are all five
point Calvinists. There is not an Arminian, or a free willer among them. They
know that the Bible is the Word of God, that Jesus Christ is God incarnate,
that he is the sovereign Lord of all things, and that there is a judgment to
come.
And you can be sure of this:
-- As the devils themselves are thoroughly orthodox in their doctrine, every
human soul now suffering the wrath of God in hell is orthodox in doctrine too.
When the departed spirits of lost men and women open their eyes in hell, at
that very moment, they open their eyes to all the truth of God. There is not an
Arminian, free-willer among all the fallen spirits; and there is not one to be
found among the damned in hell.
Augustus Toplady was exactly right in his assertion that "As there are no heretics
in heaven, so there are none in hell. It is only on earth that men have the
dreadful prerogative of out sinning the very devils themselves."
Arius is not an Arian now.
Pelagius is not a Pelagian now! Arminius is not an Arminian now! Wesley is not
a Weslian now! Russell is not a Russellite now! Campbell is not a Campbellite
now! The Popes now departed are not Papists now! Fallen spirits and lost souls
in hell are forced, against their wills, to believe all the truth.
The difference between the
faith of devils and the faith of God's elect is just this: GOD'S SAINTS HAVE RECEIVED THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH. Believers know
the truth, but more, -- we rejoice in it, -- rely upon it, -- live by it, --
experience its power, -- and love it!
We see the truth embodied in
a Person, and we love that Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The
demons and the damned in hell believe what they hate and wish it was not true.
We believe what we desire to be true, and give thanks to know that it is. With
us, truth is not a religious theory, a system of abstract theology, or a
position. It is life. Truth to us is not a denominational creed, but the
knowledge and confession of the Lord Jesus Christ our great God and Savior.
Do
you know and love the truth? Have you been so taught of God that you have
received the love of the truth? Has God the Holy Spirit given you a love for
Christ and the election love of God in him? Has the Lord God stamped on your
heart the wonders of effectual blood atonement, irresistible grace, and
infallible preservation in Christ? If, in this day of wholesale apostasy and
will worship, God has graciously caused you to receive the love of the truth,
rejoice and give thanks to him. Your love of the truth is evidence of his
electing love toward you.
AMEN.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #862
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 859-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net