Miracles Are No Measure of a Man’s Merit

And so these men took no credit to themselves for their power to work such wonders. They confessed that these were done not by their own merits but by the Lord’s compassion, and with the words of the apostle they refused the human honor offered them out of admiration for their miracles: “Men and brothers, why do you marvel at this, or why do you look at us as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man walk?” Nor did they think that anyone should be renowned for the gifts and wonders of God, but rather for the fruits of his own good deeds, which are brought about by the efforts of his mind and the strength of his works. For often, as was said above, men of corrupt minds, rejected where the truth is concerned, both cast out demons and work the greatest miracles in the name of the Lord. [a]

The apostles complained of such a man and said: “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.” For the present Christ answered them, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against you is for you.” Yet when such men say at the end, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?” he testifies that he will then answer: “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” And so he actually warns those to whom he himself has given this glory of miracles and mighty works because of their holiness, not to be puffed up by them. He says: “Do not rejoice because the demons are subject to you, but rejoice rather because your names are written in heaven.”