For the following few articles, I will break down the article “Amidst The Turbulence, Seek the Face of God.” You will find the bold paragraph to be a copy and paste of one of the paragraphs from the previous article. A few weeks ago, our home was filled with young people. They wanted to learn the Kingdom Protocol regarding those who had been accused or those who had fallen; hence, these articles. The goal is to expound on each of the main topics written in the above article. “Inspired Word Of God” is the second installment of this project. I pray you are blessed. Let’s begin. 

“The Bible, written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, reveals the victories and failures of men and women, tribes and nations, and in so doing, does not contain or release to the reader any measure of the spirit of accusation.”

That’s right. A compilation of sixty-six separate books scribed by over forty authors throughout several thousands of years, containing actual historical events such as the incredible creation and systems of nature, blueprints for righteous government structures, the revealing of the Son of God, betrayals, the rise and fall of men assigned to the highest offices, horrific wars and destructions, weddings and funerals, evils of murder, child sacrifice, rape, and otherwise, deceptions, the demise of lucifer, disobediences — the list goes on*. Yet, it is impossible for anyone who has ever read the Bible to have experienced accusations from God towards the one mentioned within the pages, neither towards themselves as the reader. Conviction and judgment leading to repentance and freedom, yes. Shame? No. Amidst all of the conflicts, worshipping of other gods, and adulteress affairs, which are rebellions against God’s righteous judgments, God’s Blood Covenant is present to respond to repentance and rescue the fallen, not to accuse. 

Let’s touch on shame for just a moment. Shame will come when the one amidst rebellion refuses to turn from the ways of wickedness, and even then, it is the result of choosing to reject God; therefore, they will encounter personal shame. In Scripture, shame is described as nakedness. For example, in Revelation 3:18, God instructed the Church of Laodicea to buy from Him white garments (acts of righteousness) to cloth themselves so that their wretchedness, blindness, poverty, and misery would not reveal their nakedness. The wilderness place of sin carries that sound and slime of “baring all to society.” It is that place of the wilderness of the flesh, manifesting dryness-disconcerted heaviness-confounded in confusion-pride-humiliation–shame. Hell’s domain carries that echo chamber. When the actions of sin remain, the consequence releases subsequent emotions and delusions that often feel like ‘slime’ stuck on one’s soul, reviving the seed of the fallen nature bare for all to see. The absence of God in the midst does that. The devil does that. God does not instruct His sons and daughters to shame nor accuse another; instead, God says, “Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.” Proverbs 24:15-16

The scriptures contain at least two types of convictions; the first concerns the endowment of conviction every writer experienced. They walked in a God-given confidence (conviction) to fully express the message intended and were empowered to carry through to the end (accomplish) the task given to present the fullness of the Gospel. With such confidence due to the dependence on God, the power and spirit of God was demonstrated. Such conviction of spirit is witnessed by those who read.  

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake….” 1 Thessalonians 1:5

“And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-6

The other type of conviction that the reader experiences is evidence that the Holy Spirit is present, inviting the reader into the realms of the Holiness necessary to reign and rule amidst the Kingdom of God upon the earth. Such conviction is to continue to grow in the way of truth directed by the Holy Spirit or change directions from wrongdoings to The Way, The Truth, and the Life.  Thus, to love God and hate sin.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16

“And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” John 16:8-11

Accusations in different capacities carry contrasting actions, all opposing and resisting, in other words, enmity. There are false accusations or slander, as there are true accusations. In friendship, David cried out that men had rendered evil for good towards him. (ps.38:20). In Zechariah 3, satan brought a true judicial accusation against the high priest Joshua. During the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, during the days of Ezra, the people of the land brought a written false accusation against the Jewish builders (Ezra 4:6). Regarding Daniel, the soothsayers presented a true accusation against Daniel (Daniel 6:2). Prophet Nathan visited David with the word of the Lord in time to awaken him to his actions through a true judgment, rebuke and discipline, with the intent to restore. The difference between a rebuke and an accusation is reproof versus hatred, mercy extended versus the motive to devour unto destruction. The contrast between conviction and accusation is that Father God corrects and disciplines the convicted, bringing to light and illuminating what is against God’s ways. 

We cannot find satan’s ways equal to God’s heart or intentions; the accuser applauds the wounds of sinners, celebrating the result of sin. According to one Akkadian and Aramaic idiom, the Hebrew word ‘akal’ –the accusation is “to eat a piece of me;” in other words, ‘to destroy.’ In Zechariah, we see what the actions of sin and iniquity did to the mantels given to the priests. The material of the garment was filthy. This Hebrew word for filth, ‘tsow-ah’, includes the definition of ‘human excrement-dung.’ Satan mocks as the weight of sin’s dung soaks into the skin of the wayward one.

God commanded His messenger angel to remove the filthy garment in God’s courtroom and cloak Joshua with a new robe. Only then was Joshua given instructions on a repented life of Holiness. Can you imagine garments created with heavenly substance? Such mantles cause me to think of the robes of righteousness awaiting each of us. Whatever God has created in heaven comes with the substance of heaven, filled with the sustaining power of faith to walk it out.

God’s conviction bestowed upon a son or daughter of God comes with removing sin’s excrements, giving a new robe and turban, and the instructions for returning to a walk of salvation, redemption, and holiness. The kindness of God the Father reveals to the sinners where He was in proximity to them throughout their lives and how His character was available to them, and in so doing, they realize just how far they have fallen. As such convictions lead to repentance, God will pick them up and return them to His embrace. He often describes the ‘why’ of their creation, reminding them of their purpose-filled destiny. God is a good Father. He reminds us of His Trustworthiness and Faithfulness. Such recovery is the kindness of the Lord, which leads to repentance. 

We must see that God’s correction is an extension of His mercy through the perfected work of Jesus Christ. His life on earth is the plum line, the Cornerstone, the measuring line, the example of how to live. He suffered so that we live. Jesus Christ’s obedience perfected His soul, and so, through our embracing Christ’s finished work and walking in obedience, our soul will come to perfection–maturity. Yes, we are perfected not by living our opinion but by accepting the gift prepared through the high price of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. To follow His direction is to receive His mercy. For this reason, God will discipline His own. 

“You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his Father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His Holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Hebrews 12:4-11

It is so interesting that even as we are now at the end of this age, that 2 Timothy 3, the chapter which speaks of the Inspired Word of God, begins with Paul saying, “But realize this, that in the last days, difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these…Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

The Word of God is not just for reference purposes but for “eating” and “dressing.” The Bible reveals the Bread of Life and presents us with the battlement’s apparel. I learned something a long time ago. A friend said, “Isn’t it funny that the Apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians established the need for the Armor of God right after teaching the church about family protocol?” Isn’t that wonderful!? Such a truth shows us the importance of relationships. 

Relationships are foundational in the Kingdom of God, and the enemy strives to destroy the gift of love, respect, and honor meant to be reciprocated among humanity. Satan overplays his hand, yet the Armor of God was made available before the conniving ways of the devil.

Salvation covers the mind (helmet), while righteousness empowers the heart(breastplate). Truth holds together the anointing and affects the emotions in the innermost part of our being (belt). Our feet are to be covered with the Gospel of Jesus, the King of Peace (shoes), while we minister, bringing awakening and wholeness to the soul and spirit (sword). The God-design of such armor guides us where there is calm or conflict in the family, both in natural and Kingdom families. In these last days, covenant relationships will be crucial amidst war. The power of unity will thrust us into that secret place as a whole, where the Trinity awaits the Body of Christ. The Word and Spirit of God endow us with wisdom, counsel, might, knowledge, the fear of the Lord, and the understanding of God. We must eat the Word. We must make room for God’s Word to dress us daily with His Spirit of Truth and Righteousness. 

God has commanded us to follow His ordinances. God’s actions and responses trumpet Holiness. We must learn and take action to what He has proclaimed holy, evident in the sixty-six books authored by over 40 authors throughout several thousands of years. In so doing, we do not find enmity in God’s heart towards humankind. Where His wrath was, we find the mercy seat of His heart and the Resurrected One–The Slain Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

“He who has not sinned throw the first stone.”

or

“Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.”

Each must choose.

Footnote:

*An edited version of a quote found in “Learn the Bible in 24 Hours” by Dr. Chuck Missler: pages ix and 1. 

ix: We will encounter the greatest evil – betrayals, revenge, deceptions, and the ultimate Prince of Darkness.

1: First, although the Bible consists of sixty-six books penned by over forty authors over a period of several thousand years, it is an integrated message system.