Luke 8:35

The demoniac had turned disciple and this sweet spirit was not about to go back to the darkness! Like Mary of Magdalene of whom seven demons had been driven out (Luke 8:2), this man clung to the feet of Jesus. He had no intention of retracing his steps! Once one has truly experienced freedom from horrific circumstances, it is no wonder that they cling to the One who bestows their freedom. That, my friend, is a blatant example of true repentance - a turning from one way of life to another. I came across a wonderful quote from Billy Graham speaking to the heart of this very issue: "From time to time I have had people pour out their heart to me because their sins had been discovered...They wept bitterly because they had devastated their marriage or ruined their reputation. But later...they were back in the same situation...What was the problem? The problem was lack of repentance. Their tears were tears of self-pity – but not of repentance. True repentance is a turning from sin – a conscious, deliberate decision to leave sin behind – and a conscious turning to God, with a commitment to follow His will...The Bible says, ‘Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret’ (2 Corinthians 7:10).” “A conscious, deliberate decision to leave sin behind – and a conscious turning to God with a commitment to follow His will” is an apt description of our demoniac turned disciple. In his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus, dressed in the “clothes of righteousness” and filled with sweet peace. I am reminded of Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
I love the definition for “Salom” the Hebrew word used in the Original text translated “perfect peace” in the above verse. It means “to be safe, to be complete, health, security, tranquility, welfare, well, peaceful, whole, safe, and sound. Though “Salom” can mean the absence of strife, it usually signifies much more. It essentially denotes a satisfied condition, a state of peacefulness, a sense of well being, both externally and internally” (The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible Old Testament Lexical Aids). God’s perfect peace is not dependent upon our circumstances. A child of the King can be at peace in the midst of all of the torrents of life. That is one of God’s special evangelistic tools! When a child of God is peaceful in the midst of horrible circumstances it gets the attention of others. Why? Because the power portrayed within that soul is super-natural. It speaks volumes to those in that person’s sphere. Truth proclaimed and fleshed out is a marvel and unfortunately a rarity in our day. On the whole, we have become whinny two year olds when our circumstances turn sour and complain, complain, and complain again. Who may I ask would want to emulate that??? Flee, I can understand, but emulate – NO! A verse I used often when my kids were growing up comes out of Philippians and hits the bull’s eye of this truth: 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Phil 2:14-16 (NIV)
The Bible Knowledge Commentary expounds on the above verses and while lengthy, worth it: “Everything was to be done without complaining or arguing (v. 14). The order of the Greek words here places emphasis on everything a believer does. The present tense of the verb do suggests that this was to be done continually. “Complaining” is the translation of a word which reflects a bad attitude expressed in grumbling. The apostle may have had in mind the behavior of the Israelites who often complained to Moses and in turn to God (cf. 1 Cor. 10:10). “Arguing” reflects a legal connotation of disputing and may refer, at least in part, to the practice of going to civil courts to settle their differences (cf. 1 Cor. 6:1-11). The importance of the kind of behavior called for is set forth in Philippians 2:15-16. Before their testimony for Christ could ever be effective in the community where they lived, the Philippians needed to set some things straight in their own assembly. Evidently the believers were complaining (to God and each other) and arguing (with each other). As a result they were not without fault among the unregenerate; they were not shining like stars in their world (2:15). The Philippian assembly needed to show themselves as united and as one in Christ. Non-Christians were not being attracted to Him by the saints’ strifes and contentions.Blameless (amemptoi, v. 15) means “above reproach.” This does not mean sinless perfection. The corporate testimony of the church is in view. All believers are called on to live out the salvation God has worked in them—to progress in their spiritual maturity. The people were to live so that those outside of Christ could not rightfully point an accusing finger at them. Pure translates akeraioi, a word that was used of wine which had not been diluted and of metal which had not been weakened in any way.” A high calling indeed yet carrying with it incredible benefits!