"A Soul Assured" - To

 "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus, and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you." (John 20:19 KJV) 

  "Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory. Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!" (PSALM 85:7-10 NLT)

 I was watching a little bit of a trailer yesterday, from the movie Michael; which was a movie from the 90's that stared John Travolta as Michael the Arch Angel, who was allowed to get a little free time here on earth, supposably because he earned it by fighting glorious battles. When the news team first met him, one of them asked if he had written anything in the Bible, to which he answered, "I did write some of Psalm 85." 

 I know, it is not that great of a movie to show the angelic being, such as Michael; but the real story about the movie is what happens to that news team, not what Micheal is or is not. That is the point to this post, because no matter what, I believe we that have been called of God, who are chosen by God, who have been born-again, and are now the children of God; we have blessed assurance that eternal life is ours! 

 Without getting too far outside the box, I will try to explain what I believe, without making too many of you offended by what I say; after all this is just my point of view, so don't take it as doctrine or some sort of revelation. Once we have been born into the Kingdom of God, we are His children, adopted into the family of God; purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, and securely sealed with our place in Heaven, for all eternity. 

 Now then, we have been Purified by the blood of the Lamb; made righteous in the eyes of the Father, free from sin, because those sins, past, present, or future, have been totally removed. Hopefully you are still with me, because we are taking about the soul, not this body of flesh! This is where things get a little, shall we say, 'like walking on thin ice,' because we are going to sin! 

 We sin; as much as we try to avoid it, not think about it, or don't want to confess it; we still have to battle with sin. This is what is known as, Sanctification, which where God brings us through the process of being Sanctified! Call it whatever you want, but it is something different for each and every one of us. Some will go through the water, some through storms; some will maybe experience total calamity, while others have great enjoyment; and still, there will be some that go through the fire! 

 To be clear, this process is something that is meant for the life to come, lessons and learning, how to be holy! Some make it through better than others; but regardless, all of God's children will make it to the other side! Because on that other side, is Glorification! No if, ands, or buts; we are going to make it to the other side...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people, then you won't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."" (Hebrews 12:1-6 NLT)