“Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”  This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:27, 28).

I am highly suspicious that one of the enemy’s favorite tactics is intimidation, and his weapons of choice are not kid gloves—instead, he comes at us with brass knuckles and daggers, battering our souls and attempting to pierce our faith in Jesus and our commitment to the truth of His Word.

I have been trying to come to grips with the many accusations against Christians for the perception of unChrist-like behavior, intolerance, or just plain cruelty.  I have tottered between being defensive because of my beliefs in Jesus and the Bible as the inerrant, infallible Word of God or embarrassed because of the actions of some in the name of God.  I have struggled with the accusations of some Christians against others because one group does not believe the same things as another group.  Sadly, many people are offended because others are put off by their in-your-face, offensive approach to church and religion.

But I am done!  I am finished with being ashamed of Christianity and Christians.  We are family and every one of us is on a journey of grace and righteousness.  Grace, because it is by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  Righteousness, for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).  I am definitely not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “the righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16, 17).

I will remain in Jesus, unshaken, held in place by His powerful Holy Spirit.  …and I am grateful for receiving God’s kingdom which cannot be shaken!  I am not going to be intimidated by those who choose to assist the enemy in his role as an accuser of the brethren—interesting that he accuses Christians; he sees no need to accuse anyone who does not trust in the redemptive work of Christ!

We are not called to be prosecutors or judges, rather Christians are instructed to consider how to stir up one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24), for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to walk in them (Eph. 2:10).  Scripture also advises us to stir up, to fan into flame, the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are in us.

I have been side-tracked, but no more.  There are battles to fight, but believers are not our enemies, neither are people who are not Christians.  We need to refocus, to understand where the battlefields are (our faith) and who the enemy is—for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places—and learn how to fight the battles with the weapons which have divine power to destroy the enemy’s strongholds.