"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Like many presently incarcerated individuals who have had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ...
have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Like many presently incarcerated individuals who have had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ...
...it is always disappointing whenever they in turn encounter those who are quick to negate their newfound faith. While at the same time, these people will be quick to remind that individual of his or her prior sins and failures.
I know how frustrating and painful it is for one who has placed his faith in Messiah Jesus, who has asked forgiveness for his sins and crimes from a sincere and repentant heart, to have those sordid deeds be thrown back in his face. I also know what it's like when those with their own prejudices unleash their negative comments and their ignorance upon that person, and how having such a biased attitude can vex that individual's soul.
I have lived on the receiving end of such negativity for several decades. Despite my coming to the Lord in faith and with a heart of contrition, my criminal past and my many misdeeds get thrown back in my face again and again. But while it is inwardly painful whenever I encounter this, I have come to accept it as normal, but bad, human behavior.
Because of our human nature to believe the bad reports about others above all else, such doubt and skepticism will remain a part of most people's lives. Yet as the years have gone by, and as I matured both emotionally and spiritually, I am now better able to allow these unfavorable opinions to bounce off me, instead of entering into my soul, thereby bringing feelings of shame and humiliation.
This, I believe, is a part of God's protection to help keep my sense of peace and well-being. His Word reminds me of who I am in His eyes. Therefore, it really doesn’t matter what others think of me. What counts is how Father God sees me. He sees me as His beloved child. So I can say along with the writer of the Song of Solomon, "He has brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love" (Song of Solomon 2:4).
And as for the collectors of the bad news about others, so be it. For those who have a relationship with the Lord, the "banqueting house" represents a place where there is continuous peace, love, and joy. It also represents complete safety and spiritual abundance. And this is where I'm living now. "Thank you, Lord Jesus!"
D.B.
I know how frustrating and painful it is for one who has placed his faith in Messiah Jesus, who has asked forgiveness for his sins and crimes from a sincere and repentant heart, to have those sordid deeds be thrown back in his face. I also know what it's like when those with their own prejudices unleash their negative comments and their ignorance upon that person, and how having such a biased attitude can vex that individual's soul.
I have lived on the receiving end of such negativity for several decades. Despite my coming to the Lord in faith and with a heart of contrition, my criminal past and my many misdeeds get thrown back in my face again and again. But while it is inwardly painful whenever I encounter this, I have come to accept it as normal, but bad, human behavior.
Because of our human nature to believe the bad reports about others above all else, such doubt and skepticism will remain a part of most people's lives. Yet as the years have gone by, and as I matured both emotionally and spiritually, I am now better able to allow these unfavorable opinions to bounce off me, instead of entering into my soul, thereby bringing feelings of shame and humiliation.
This, I believe, is a part of God's protection to help keep my sense of peace and well-being. His Word reminds me of who I am in His eyes. Therefore, it really doesn’t matter what others think of me. What counts is how Father God sees me. He sees me as His beloved child. So I can say along with the writer of the Song of Solomon, "He has brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love" (Song of Solomon 2:4).
And as for the collectors of the bad news about others, so be it. For those who have a relationship with the Lord, the "banqueting house" represents a place where there is continuous peace, love, and joy. It also represents complete safety and spiritual abundance. And this is where I'm living now. "Thank you, Lord Jesus!"
D.B.
