Revelation 12
Life Journal 090706
The Accusations of Life,
We live in a world where reputations are
ravaged and lives are desolated by words of accusation. In June 2006, American
track star and five time medalist, Marion Jones failed "sample A" of a drug test
at the track and field championships. Accusations that intentionally clouded and
corrupted her entire history of achievement on the track and tainted her
reputation as a person spread like bird flu on a chicken farm.
Rev 12:9 (NLT)The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11They overcame 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.
The Accuser, the enemy of God himself, has been cast from heaven having
challenged the Almighty's right and rule. By his persuasive words, the master of
lyric, this accuser led a horde of angels to their dark destiny. This subversive
being now scours the earth disrupting life and love everywhere it threatens
animation. His favorite soil to seed with accusation is the hope and heart of
heaven on earth, the church.
Marion Jones tested positive for the blood booster EPO, an endurance enhancing drug, in June. As accusations took flight, life for the runner hit the skids. Later testing exonerated Marion. By September 6, 2006, the news was out, the blood is untainted. Marion Jones did not use performance enhancing drugs.
As followers of Christ we should expect accusation. Accusation is the enemy's disrupter device. Day and night he accuses, seeking to drive a wedge into fellowship, relationship, partnership, friendship at every level. Marion Jones' own blood shut the mouths of her accusers. But for the believer it is not our own blood but the blood of Jesus that overcomes the accusation of the enemy. It is the blood of Jesus that gives us endurance to run the race of life.
When we have sinned, when we have failed, it is the blood of the Lamb that
enables us to overcome. It is the word of our testimony, our repenting reliance
on Jesus' work that gives us the strength and endurance to trust our Father in
heaven more than we love the lauding of this life.
Have you been falsely accused? So was Jesus, trust him. Have you failed,
cheated, retreated in cowardice? Have you been ruled by pride, "transformed the
truth," been unfaithful? Well you are guilty. When you turn from that plan of
life and trust Jesus, it will be his blood that is put to the test and you will
become an overcomer beyond the power of the Accuser.
Thank You Jesus for the blood you shed for my victory. With your standing on the cross for me I can stand amid the accusations of life. Give me the strength of an enduring word and testimony in the midst of the accusal of life, and faith to love you more than the reputation of this life.
Glad to be with You in the Word, Pastor Art