After Revisited

Ephesians 1:13 - Show Context

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

So much in the eternal realm is predicated on the word AFTER. And sadly in todays microwave society everything is thought to be instantaneous.

In 1989 at 37 years old facing Prison for the first time I cried out to God for relief from the weight of consequences sin heaped upon me. I BEGAN reading Gods Word understanding very little. I BEGAN praying and asking God to put my life back together, my family, my business and I BEGAN witnessing Him to anyone and everyone. In a County Jail built for 4000 and was at that time housing 12,000 inmates there was plenty opportunity. And all I could talk about is what God was beginning to do in my life. And I myself was at the beginnings.

Everything has to have a beginning yet it is AFTER, that life in Christ becomes a reality. It is AFTER when TRUTH comes inside us, that through understanding and obedience we divest ourselves of the world and its False Solutions. As well as putting to death our own Inordinate Affections for people, places and things, that is our flesh has been crucified. It is through much tribulation the things contrary to real life in Christ is surgically removed (by the Word of Truth) out of our hearts, we then enter (as IT enters us) The Kingdom of God that is the Righteousness, Joy and Peace of The Holy Spirit.

Americanized Christianity for the most part has settled itself much to comfortably in the worlds system of doing and accomplishing things and calling it Christ, calling evil good and good evil. Yet for those who are obeying:

Philippians 4:13-14
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

AND

2 Timothy 2:15 - Show Context
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

AND

Romans 1:5 - Show Context
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

These reach the AFTER wherein completion, wholeheartedness, true faith, trust and power exist.

For me its taken the tribulation of years in prison, where God mercifully kept granting me repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth and now AFTER the TRUTH has made me free, whole, infilled by His Spirit and awake to what is truly good and truly evil...but most of all it's blossomed the fruit of Gods Love in my heart a love that never fails.

In Christ’s Love and Service,

Brother James Pierson, OIC Senior Minister