Faith is not belief in particular doctrines or dogmas, but absolute trust in the goodness, love, and wisdom of God. This sort of faith is also willing to go wherever God leads and it does not give in to pessimism, cynicism, doubt, or fear. This was the faith of Abraham - he believed and trusted God, and this is what made him right in God's eyes. The Law had not yet been given; there was no covenant yet; and all of Israel's history was in the future. But Abraham heard the voice of God - and he followed whatever God asked of him. That is why he is our father in faith. Do we have that kind of trust?

The Pharisees couldn't deny that Jesus cast out demons, but they claimed he did it by the power of Satan. Jesus pointed out that this was ridiculous - how could Satan cast out Satan? And how could any person or group divided against itself stand? Jesus cast out demons as a sign of God's reign. He ended with the story of the cast-out demon that wandered around and then came back with seven of his demonic friends to retake possession of the house from which they had been expelled. Old habits die hard; unless we are vigilant, sins and habits of the past can come back at us with even greater force. It is not enough to cast something out - its place must be taken by the power and love of God.