Aureate (Facing Our Accusers part 2)

"And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the Kindgom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." (Revelation 12:10) And then John adds at the end of this verse, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death."

From one to the other. It says that the days of the devil pointing his finger and throwing stones and slinging mud are over. But we're not quite there yet so you have the next verse. There is a way to overcome the vague and ambiguous evil of that ever-present accusatory feeling (should you experience or be experiencing it) that follows you around.

"Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman. He said, Yea. And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born." (Acts 22:27-28)

I find that while we may rub people the wrong way (this could be what causes the accusatory atmosphere we sense, you understand), we don't know what's going on in their heart and as such, don't know the full story. Jesus chose the way of suffering (unto death) in spite of being the only person for whom that paradigm was unnecessary. Paul's story was several shades removed from the total black-and-white of Christ, however. In Acts chapter 25, we see Paul's qualifications for fair trial in Roman court and how he carries the Gospel of Christ in his human frame. It's fascinating when you see the pieces play out as they will. Paul carries citizenship to one of the greatest empires the world had known and yet his allegiance is with one higher. He tells those of the "house of Philip" (Acts 21:8) that he was "ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And that's the real reason you feel (if you do) a standoffishness bordering on hate. Because you are representing Christ. And one of the devil's main concerns at present, is to accuse you—whether it's true or not. After Paul had gone to Jerusalem, the Lord then tells him to leave for one reason only "for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me" (22:18). Your testimony has all the power of your new birth with the telling. You carry this around and if you don't realize it—I mean make it real—you most likely won't "overcome him". This is stark but simple.

"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Thy works." (Psalm 73:28)

Claiming a Little Sanctuary

Schema (Facing Our Accusers part 1)