A Page From My Journal: Entry 3- God Loves Them Too.

Every Man Was Considered On The Cross

I'm sure we've all had encounters with other persons that weren't very pleasing. Times, where someone may have spoken ill of you, disrespected you or treated you unfairly. Sometimes we are pulled out of our character because a wave of deep anger or disappointment is rising from the deepest parts of our mind, and it takes control.

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife (Proverbs 15: 18)

Jesus tells us to be slow to anger for the fact that anger is a gateway to sin. The Bible councils us to be angry and sin not (Ephesians 4:26). The issue is not whether or not we're angry, it is what we do with our anger.When you are seriously tested is when it is time to remember that Jesus loves them and died for them too.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not die, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9)

Christ died for every man on this earth, and that includes the estranged friend that you had a falling out with. That includes the coworker who has been giving you trouble and gossiping. That includes the rapist and the murderer, yes even them too.God allows these tests to happen for a couple of reasons.

Character Building

One reason for constant tests is for the sake of character building. There are very serious and challenging tests that are to come to Christians in these last days, and we must build our characters to be strong and choose Christ in every decision.But why do these tests feel so hard? Why does it feel so frequent? Lord, why am I receiving the same test?It's important to pay attention to the tests that God allows to come your way. If it is the same test in different forms, or the same person testing you, this may very well be because you have not overcome this yet. Remember, Israel was tested in the wilderness for 40 years (Hebrews 3:7-11)! Use your tests to show you your character imperfections.

Building Faith

Now, to really build a character for Christ and build a relationship with Christ requires a certain kind of power that we, as humans, do not naturally possess. We cannot overcome these tests on our own.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:10-12)

The only man that walked this earth who did no sin, was Christ (1 Peter 2:21-23). Christ is our example! Christ IS our righteousness!

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of god is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)

This is where your faith comes in, beloved! Faith in Jesus, for Him, to fulfill His promise to work in you to will and to do of his good pleasure! (Philippians 2:13) This is where having a close, intimate, and personal relationship with Christ allows for victory over these tests and over sin. We cannot do this alone-- we cannot do it AT ALL within ourselves, but with Christ's righteousness, with Christ's mind, we can overcome and be perfect just as our Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48).

Instruments of the Enemy

When someone is being used as an instrument for the enemy, our primary thought should be to pray for that person. They are in a vulnerable state, they are struggling, and simply projecting this unto you. As a Christian, it is our job to demonstrate the love of Jesus by our response and to cooperate with Him by praying for that soul.Because there is freedom of choice, and God forces himself on NO MAN, this is why there are people being used as instruments of evil- they do not know Christ and are in a state of sin! When someone does not know Christ, we cannot expect them to have Christ-like behavior towards us, beloved. They know not what they do! But WE, being Christians, are expected to shine our light, that is Christ within, to attract them to our Savior. And while fighting in this great controversy, remember, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:11-12). In order to stand against these trials, we must put on the whole armour of God and exhibit Christ in these encounters!Be blessed during these times brethren, for we are living in the last generation.Maranatha.