One charge Satan Will Never Make


"For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord  Ephesians 5: 9-10.

               

If we were on trial for being a Christian, would the evidence presented be sufficient to convict as being "guilty as charged?"  Would we be guilty of love in the first degree for our Lord?  We have heard the above question asked in Christian circles many times and see a lot of thought on this question.  We can have peace and know that the answer would be "yes" ....if we have made Him first in our lives.

One charge or accusation which Satan will never make against us, is that we are like Christ. His work is to kill, steal, and destroy as the "accuser of those who are in Christ."  His goal is to tear down and destroy what the Lord has called and his accusations are to destroy lives and hinder God's work. We see an example of the false accusations of Satan in Job 1: 11, as to Job's integrity under trials and the tests of life.  In all his sufferings and loss, Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. (Job 1: 22)  So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning because He stood the test of being righteous. His captivity was turned when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord gave him twice as much as he had before.  His example shows us that the eyes of the Lord are always on the righteous who are in his favor.

If we were on trial as Stephen in the Bible who was a Christian Martyr, would there be enough evidence to show those judging that we really are Christ like? Stephen saw the Lord and his glory in the heavenlies in his dying hours and also stood firm in his testimony for Christ. The evidence was sure.  Even though he lost his life on earth through persecution, he received a greater glory and eternal life.

In Hebrew meaning, the word "evidence" is "safar" and means writing or a document, letter, to inscribe or recount, declare, and comes from the meaning "to show forth", speak, talk, or tell. 
Another meaning was to celebrate. In Greek meaning, the word evidence means "proof" or to convince.  The proof of our salvation is written and stamped upon our hearts. He has given us his seal of salvation by the Holy Spirit who lives within. His proof has been engraved within by circumcision of our hearts under the new covenant, and his laws are on fleshly tables, not those of stone. His letter to us is "real" as He meant every word which was written and it will stand forever.

We do not have to convince anyone but the Lord of our salvation, but we are told we would be known as Christians by fruit produced in our lives. This is the proof which could be used to convict us of being a Christian.  Being Christ like means we have the attributes of our Lord and show forth 
the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law as they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

We are also told to "prove ourselves and proving one's own work and dedication to God in all things is a command to us in Galatians 6: 4. In 2 Cor. 13: 5, we are told to " examine and prove ourselves.  Our conscience will only lead us to show us right and wrong if God is living within our hearts through Holy Spirit. The word "prove" in Greek is "dokime" and means to "test, discern, 
examine, and try" and comes from a root word which means "to think" or to either seem truthfully or uncertainly."  It is interesting to note that the Greek word for "examine" is "peira" and means experience, a test, trial, or attempt, to endeavor, scrutinize, examine, and discipline. Without discipline in our lives in the midst of the trying and testing of our faith, we would not be able to stand faithful in truth.  Experience means "proven character" according to how we have measured up to God's Word.  His Word is our standard of conduct and we will know in our hearts if we are truly like Christ, according to His Word.

Truth sets free but a pretense of faith without the reality binds one to a false hope in their reasoning and discernment.  Have we proclaimed his truths and rightfully divided his Words and vision given in his Word? If so, our lifestyle, works, will, attitude, goals, and words will be in compliance with God's Word which is his will and law for our life.  Any judging of our life which 'would or could' convict us and prove that we are a Christian, would have to be according to God's Word.  This means that if our Christian walk does not line up with His Word which is the "way of a 
Christian," there would not be evidence to prove Christ is Lord of our life. 

The gifts of the Holy Spirit claimed in lives are of no real value to one unless the fruit of the spirit is being manifested and made evident by the Holy Spirit. A trying of our faith is to work patience and experience. Each test should cause us to seek the Lord more and depend upon Him. This results in experience or a deeper walk with the Lord and gives us a blessed hope and assurance as we lean only to Him. 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen. It is believing in the things hoped for in Christ, and putting forth action to see these things come to pass as if they were already a reality. Faith is an action word and will have works, as faith without works is not a living or true faith. Works cannot
save us, but if we are saved we will work in the vineyard of the Lord as He has called us. It should be a joy and not a task to daily set our goals for sharing his words and ways with others.

Would the gavel sound upon the Judge's desk and a verdict of "guilty" be pronounced if we were tried for being a Christian?  We all should desire to be accused as guilty of loving Jesus as "first" in our lives.  This is a thought each of us can ponder.  We see so many who say they were saved many years ago, but have strayed from the gospel path.  God's Word tells us "if we love Him, we must keep his commandments." He who endures until the end in God's will, shall be saved.  If one no longer keeps God's commands, they are weighed in the balances as "guilty" of not loving God and therefore of not being a Christian. Many profess to know Him, but do not love him and therefore do not truly belong to Him. Love is the spiritual birthmark of a believer.

May we see the necessity of 'professing what we confess' that we might be convicted in God's Courtroom of being a Christian and "child of God." This is the greatest charge that could ever be made in our behalf and one which the enemy of our soul will try to make null and void. This is one charge or accusation which Satan will not make against us. It is our confession and profession of faith that will be scrutinized by the World and at times even by other Christians. Many cannot discern the road true Christians are on or where they are going as they discern only the natural things received from others, and not from God. 

As long as we are in the Courtroom with our Lord, we can be assured we have One who will be our Righteous Judge and Jury. His Laws have been made and proclaimed and we have been given
all we need to keep his commands and walk in them. The decision is ours to make and the proof is a "proving of our faith" in Him. May we continue on as we daily examine our hearts and lives that we may give our Lord and Savior all honor due Him. One day we will hear him say,
"enter in" if we have been faithful over the things given us in this life. We serve a Righteous God with "liberty and justice" for all. It is a joy to be called a child of "Abba"....our Father, the great "I Am," whose name is Holy.

Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann
J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 2002

 

        Worthy To Be Called His Own

All were guilty before God with no one to      plead their case
Then Jesus came and died for all ...Our sins he did erase.
The World was in need of one
who would stand in the gap for man,
God in love sent his only Son,
Who laid down his life that we might stand.

Are we guilty of loving the Lord and worthy to be called his own?
We can search our hearts by God's word 
He will make our thoughts and intents known.
As we confess our hearts.....He knows our dedication
He will judge every thought by our obedience and relation.

We stand justified by faith through the power of his blood,
Saved and redeemed by his marvelous grace,
Because of the Savior's sacrifice and his great love,
We are walking each day by faith and walk no more by sight,
God's mercy gave us hope and leads us in his light.

Jo Ann Kelly
J. P's Inspirations (c) 5/2002