"Confounded?" - 2

"But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?" (John 7:26 KJV)

  "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:14-20 KJV)

 First off, let me clarify what it is that I am trying to get across, about how important it is to know what you are, and what it is that you are not. When we received Christ into our heart, we became a child of God; in that very instant we were born again into the Kingdom of God. This was something that God did, based upon our choice to answer the call upon our life. Whether you might believe it or not, what God has done in making you His child, cannot be undone.

 In that regard, we have overcome the wicked one, who no longer has dominion and control over our lives. That said, there are ways that we can become entangled, even snared, by things of this world, thereby giving power back, all be it, limited to that which takes place upon this earth. Basically, what that means, if you are into cartoons: when you do arrive in heaven, there will still have smoke lifting up from you, based upon the fire that you went through to make it there! 

 You might see it another way, and that is totally your right to see it whatever way you want. That said, what should matter more than anything else, is your salvation being real and being eternal! Once you have been born into the Kingdom of God, you are a New Creation! All things are New! You have a new set of rules, a new destination, and a new Spirit dwelling inside of you. 

 Now, about this conversation from these, gossipers of Jerusalem: A love for Christ is the furthest thing from their hearts; they have really no concern about who He might say that He is, or what the leaders might think about Him; only that He is being allowed to teach. Oddly enough, there is something special that takes place in the heart of those that accept who Jesus is, and in the heart of those that refuse to believe that it is so. 

 Having shared that special message from Peter, you must believe that you have been given a place in heaven that is reserved for you, for once you have graduated from this earth. That is our hope, which we must hold onto with all of our heart! That said, if you release your grip, I firmly believe, God is still holding onto you, and He is not letting go! 

 Obviously, there is more to it than just that simple illustration; not that I have any special knowledge of what happens in heaven or how everything is going to work out, because I do not. But what I do know, and what I choose to believe, is that I am saved: washed by the blood of Jesus, I am now a child of God! The most important thing I can do, is, be confident of what Christ has done, and doing all that I can to live accordingly. 

 The most powerful tool the devil has in his toolbox, is discouragement! Don't let sin rule your life! If we have learned anything from these last few years, what you focus upon and fear, will get the best of you; so, do not let it control your life, but let God's love control you... 

"Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don't want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. And even those who advocate circumcision don't keep the law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples. As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died. It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God's peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God." (Galatians 6:12-16 NLT)