Word for Today, Tue, 20 Mar 2001: Accusation and Conviction, Part Two

#1 · March 20, 2001, 1:25 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on March 20, 2001, 1:25 pm
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

This message is a continuation of the message from Neil Anderson
that he sent out on Monday. If you recall, that message
discussed the difference between conviction and accusation. This
message continues on that theme and develops it further.

Once again, I am moved by the measures Jesus Christ had to take
to secure my salvation. Even though He is THE God-Man, He had to
suffer and die. My sins are serious enough that this is the only
approach that could work. No lamb or bull offering was
sufficient, only the "spotless Lamb" - God in the flesh!

When the disciple (and apostle) Peter realized that he had denied
Christ, and the full realization that he had met the living God
came through with full force, he became completely changed.

May it be so with our lives as well. As God's Spirit reveals
pieces of us that need cleansing, may each of us, individually,
surrender control of those things to Christ so that He can make a
lasting difference in our minds and in our attitudes. We need
not remain accused and susceptible to the lies that the evil one
attempts to dump on us.

Brother Brian

N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

March 20

ACCUSATION AND CONVICTION

The sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a
repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow
of the world produces death (2 Corinthians 7:10).

A graphic example of the contrast between accusation and
conviction is found in the lives of Judas Iscariot and Simon
Peter. Somehow Judas allowed Satan to deceive him into betraying
Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:3-5). When Judas realized
what he had done, he was so remorseful that he hung himself. Was
his suicide the result of Satan's accusation or of God's
conviction? It had to be accusation because it drove Judas to
kill himself. Accusation leads to death; conviction leads to
repentance and life.

Peter also failed Jesus by denying Him. It apparently began with
pride as the disciples argued over who was the greatest among
them (Luke 22:24-30). Jesus told Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold,
Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat" (verse 31).
That's right--Jesus allowed Satan to put Peter through the mill
because Peter had given the enemy a foothold through pride. But
Jesus also looked at Peter and said, "I have prayed for you, that
your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned
again, strengthen your brothers" (verse 32).

Peter vowed to die with Jesus, but Jesus told him that he would
deny Him three times (verses 33, 34) which he did. The remorse
Peter felt was every bit as painful as that which Judas
experienced. But Peter's sorrow was from conviction which led to
his eventual repentance and restoration to Christ (John
21:15-17). When your feelings of remorse drive you from God, you
are being accused by Satan. Resist it. But when your sorrow draws
you to confront Christ and confess your wrong, you are being
convicted by the Spirit. Yield to it through repentance.

According to Revelation 12:10, Satan's continuing work is to
accuse the brethren. But the good news is that Christ's
continuing work is to intercede for us as He did for Peter
(Hebrews 7:25). We have a persistent adversary, but we have an
even more persistent, eternal advocate who defends us before the
Father on the basis of our faith in Him (1 John 2:1).

I rejoice, Lord, that You are constantly defending me against
accusation before the Father.

-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
< www.ficm.org >.

You can purchase "Daily in Christ" and other titles by Neil Anderson at
christianbook.com (Christian Book Distributors - CBD).
< shopping.crosswalk.com/bye/devo_na >

Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
< devotionals.crosswalk.com >.
-----------
To read the Current Feature Story from ReligionToday,
go to religiontoday.crosswalk.com/CurrentFeatureStory/

For today's complete News Summary from ReligionToday,
go to religiontoday.crosswalk.com/CurrentNewsSummary/

-----------
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To visit or join Neil's mailing list, check out
lists.crosswalk.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=neilanderson

--
Brian W. Masinick, "The Mas"
Personal mailto:masinick@yahoo.com

_________________________________________________________
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Get your free @yahoo.com address at mail.yahoo.com

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

This message is a continuation of the message from Neil Anderson
that he sent out on Monday. If you recall, that message
discussed the difference between conviction and accusation. This
message continues on that theme and develops it further.

Once again, I am moved by the measures Jesus Christ had to take
to secure my salvation. Even though He is THE God-Man, He had to
suffer and die. My sins are serious enough that this is the only
approach that could work. No lamb or bull offering was
sufficient, only the "spotless Lamb" - God in the flesh!

When the disciple (and apostle) Peter realized that he had denied
Christ, and the full realization that he had met the living God
came through with full force, he became completely changed.

May it be so with our lives as well. As God's Spirit reveals
pieces of us that need cleansing, may each of us, individually,
surrender control of those things to Christ so that He can make a
lasting difference in our minds and in our attitudes. We need
not remain accused and susceptible to the lies that the evil one
attempts to dump on us.

Brother Brian

N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

March 20

ACCUSATION AND CONVICTION

The sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a
repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow
of the world produces death (2 Corinthians 7:10).

A graphic example of the contrast between accusation and
conviction is found in the lives of Judas Iscariot and Simon
Peter. Somehow Judas allowed Satan to deceive him into betraying
Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:3-5). When Judas realized
what he had done, he was so remorseful that he hung himself. Was
his suicide the result of Satan's accusation or of God's
conviction? It had to be accusation because it drove Judas to
kill himself. Accusation leads to death; conviction leads to
repentance and life.

Peter also failed Jesus by denying Him. It apparently began with
pride as the disciples argued over who was the greatest among
them (Luke 22:24-30). Jesus told Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold,
Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat" (verse 31).
That's right--Jesus allowed Satan to put Peter through the mill
because Peter had given the enemy a foothold through pride. But
Jesus also looked at Peter and said, "I have prayed for you, that
your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned
again, strengthen your brothers" (verse 32).

Peter vowed to die with Jesus, but Jesus told him that he would
deny Him three times (verses 33, 34) which he did. The remorse
Peter felt was every bit as painful as that which Judas
experienced. But Peter's sorrow was from conviction which led to
his eventual repentance and restoration to Christ (John
21:15-17). When your feelings of remorse drive you from God, you
are being accused by Satan. Resist it. But when your sorrow draws
you to confront Christ and confess your wrong, you are being
convicted by the Spirit. Yield to it through repentance.

According to Revelation 12:10, Satan's continuing work is to
accuse the brethren. But the good news is that Christ's
continuing work is to intercede for us as He did for Peter
(Hebrews 7:25). We have a persistent adversary, but we have an
even more persistent, eternal advocate who defends us before the
Father on the basis of our faith in Him (1 John 2:1).

I rejoice, Lord, that You are constantly defending me against
accusation before the Father.

-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
< http://www.ficm.org >.

You can purchase "Daily in Christ" and other titles by Neil Anderson at
christianbook.com (Christian Book Distributors - CBD).
< shopping.crosswalk.com/bye/devo_na >

Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
< devotionals.crosswalk.com >.
-----------
To read the Current Feature Story from ReligionToday,
go to religiontoday.crosswalk.com/CurrentFeatureStory/

For today's complete News Summary from ReligionToday,
go to religiontoday.crosswalk.com/CurrentNewsSummary/

-----------
For Copyright Terms go to http://www.crosswalk.com/info/copyright

To visit or join Neil's mailing list, check out
lists.crosswalk.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=neilanderson

--
Brian W. Masinick, "The Mas"
Personal mailto:masinick@yahoo.com

_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at mail.yahoo.com