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Guilty or Innocent
Our Bible study material this quarter is on the book of Revelation. It is deep, thought-provoking, and frightening. It is also awe-inspiring and up-lifting. This week’s session is describing the battle between good vs evil, Satan vs the Church, and Satan vs Christians. The purpose of reading and studying the Bible is to equip ourselves for the battle against evil. The chapters on overcoming sin and defeating the enemy was brought into focus in Chapter 12:11, as John described how to defeat Satan: by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony! The blood of the Lamb is accomplished as I accepted Christ as my Savior many years ago. But it gets harder when I contemplate the second weapon: The word of my testimony!
Is there enough evidence to convict me of being a Christian? We have all heard this before. It is a great topic of conversation, but it should be something that we consider as we examine our actions and some of decisions we made in our lives.
Would I be found guilty? 1st degree? – with intent and planning, willful and premeditated.
What about 2nd degree? There is no planning in advance, I just “fell into it”,
“I go because Mama and Daddy made me, church is a habit”
What if I am tried for being a Christian and I am found NOT GUILTY? no conclusive evidence!
Revelation 12:11 is very simple and straightforward. We will conquer sin and the evil one with the blood of the Lamb and our testimony. Our testimony may not be a dramatic conversion experience or a list of great accomplishments. We may never be publicly praised or recognized for our works or our faith. But our testimony should always include the forgiveness of our sin, the claiming of God’s grace and mercy, and the evidence of our love for others. I show my love for others by forgiving them, by loving them, by meeting their needs at the point of their need, by praying for them. None of these things require a deep understanding of Revelation or a degree in Theology!
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17, NIV)
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” (Revelation 12:11, NIV)
Brinda Blair
Magee, MS
