"For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it." (Ecclesiastes 7:12 KJV)
"My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!" (PSALM 57:7 NLT)
Just to be sure that we don't think this is about strength to take on our sinful nature, the strength that I was speaking of was about faith; to be strong enough to be willing to die for Christ, if that might need to be the case. Which, if things keep going as they currently are, that might be surer to happen.
The world "defence," is the idea of a shadow, more that something for battle or to take down the enemy; it is more about confidence and shelter; knowing that the best place to be is hidden under the wings of our merciful God! If you really want to get down to it, stronger actually speaks of boldness, where we have less care for what this world might do to us, and more care about how God will bless our testimony of the faith we have in Him.
The other day I shared about the wedding feast, where the man was not wearing the proper wedding clothes. (Matthew 22:1-14) As you read this illustration, the idea is that the garments were given out to those invited in, as they were just random people that were called in from the streets. Which would be the reason for the king to be so upset with the man that didn't have on the proper clothes.
In that parable, Jesus is showing the difference between those who are protected and covered by the blood of Christ, and those that refuse to accept the free gift of the covering of Christ. We have the knowledge in us of what Christ has done, now we need to apply that knowledge into our lives! We are all going to be held accountable for what we have done with Christ's covering and protection. Did we put it on and wear it boldly?
That is what it means to be living large...
"Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hand on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God."" (Luke 9:23-27 NLT)
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