It is possible to know and ‘believe’ the truth of the gospel and gain no benefit from it. Consider this brief encounter Jesus has with some people afflicted with unclean spirits.
“And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’ And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.” | Mark 3: 11-12
Here we have something interesting to consider. At least one demon cries out that ‘Jesus is the Son of God.’ Oddly, the unclean spirits are wrong to do it! The declaration is a glorious truth, yet they proclaim it not in worship, but in spite, dread, and rebellion.
They spitefully reveal this truth because Jesus is not yet ready to reveal it to the masses. He must first reveal his identity to his disciples when they are ready to receive it. The crowds will not know what to do with it, and will likely either force him to be an earthly king after their own designs or kill him on the spot as a blasphemer. The demon speaks this truth out of turn, hoping to cause Jesus injury.
They reveal that Jesus is the Son of God, but with dread. Jesus is their foe and the demon cannot hope to successfully resist him or fulfill his plans. So the spirit-possessed people fall down before Jesus, not in joy, but in terror, for Christ has complete authority over them. The kingdom of God has come to earth and is uprooting and driving out Satan’s kingdom. Satan cannot hope to stand where Christ’s Lordship has taken root.
Finally, they declare Jesus is the Son of God, but with rebellion in their hearts. It is a truth they can’t deny and a reality they despise. Though they know Jesus is the Son of God, it is a truth they wish was not true. They do not delight in it. They hate him.
Here is a sobering truth: demons have really good theology. They understand the Trinity, the nature of Christ, the power of his kingdom, the authority of the Scriptures, and so forth. They believe what they cannot deny, but they do not benefit because they despise these truths and have no faith.
“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” | James 2:19
The Scriptures tell us that at some point every creature in heaven, earth, and hell, will bow before Jesus and acknowledge him as king. But not all will do so joyfully. Many will say it with the same bitter resentment and regret as the demons. The gospel allows us the opportunity to receive Christ as king now, to enjoy his good reign over our lives. To believe unto salvation is not to simply agree with the truths of God, but to embrace them with joy. ‘Christ is Lord,’ says the believer, ‘and he is my Lord. Christ is Savior, and he is my Savior! I trust him with my life and joyfully give it to him. I delight that Jesus is the Son of God.’
The difference between heaven and hell is often the difference between merely acknowledging the truth of Christ versus embracing Christ himself.
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