Accepted in the Beloved

© 07-08 Born-Again-Christian.info

Adopted children

Q: Is legal adoption also spiritually binding? What I mean is; do all the blessings a child would normally receive from their biological Christian parents belong also to an adopted child? Elisa

A: Providing the new parents are genuine Christians, yes of course! Read the spine-tingling first chapter of Ephesians to see your question answered (on every level).

But understand that this all works by living faith, it is not an automatic legal spiritual transfer. They must claim the child as theirs, and enforce their claim by faith. Many Christian parents lose their own children to the Devil simply because they don't know how to claim their rights in Christ, or plead the Blood, and use their faith to cover their unsaved kids. In the same way that many are sick because they don't claim the blessing of healing and health through Christ.

You understand, I hope, that no child is a Christian because its parents are Christian. Each individual child must be born again by responding to the Gospel. Many people are deluded into calling themselves 'Christian' because they were raised in a Christian family. Please set them straight when you meet them. They won't like it at first, but in the end they will thank you.

Back to blessings to the adopted: Even in the Old Testament we see this illustrated in the valiant example of Noah.

Were his 'adopted' daughters-in-law blessed along with his sons? Mightily, and that through Noah's living faith. They were not judged by The Flood, and their seed is preserved to this day. Thank God for our ancestor Noah, who endured years of fierce mockery and ridicule, and obeyed the Word of the Lord, when all around revelled in sin. One man, and God: What a Team.

Oppressing demons

Q: Is demon oppression the same as a demon tempting you, and should it be cast out? Steven

A: You can't cast out oppression, because the oppressing demon isn't in the person. Oppression is from outside, like a demon tempting you to sin.

You ask many further questions along this line, that indicate your attention is on the problem, not the solution. Fix your eyes on Christ, and simply follow Him, renew your mind so you think like Him, and very soon you'll be oppressing demons in His Name.

Do you realize that through what He did at Calvary He has put your foot on Satan's neck? You are to oppress and bind demons, not the other way around. Read Joshua 10, and ask the Lord for revelation of what the slaying of the five evil kings means to you today.

When you walk in step with the Holy Spirit, demons have no hold on you. Walk in the Light. It is when people wander into the shadows that they fall into sin's snares.

Beware of fascination with demons. We bind and dismiss them, we don't study them, or play with them, like some do in 'deliverance ministry'. Preach the Gospel, the power in the Blood, and cast devils out!

Ready or not?

Q: How do I know I'm ready to be baptized? Rita

A: As soon as a person is genuinely born of God they are ready for water baptism. It is vital that you do not get baptised unless you are sure that you are already saved. Water baptism adds nothing to salvation, it plays no part in salvation. Salvation comes before baptism. So, simply make sure you have been born again.

Starting a relationship

Q: What should a Christian do if they have a crush on somebody?

A: I take it you mean that you are besotted by somebody, want to have a romantic relationship with them, but they don't know, and you're not sure what to do?

This is very common in tweenies and teenagers. If you are a Christian it is much easier to deal with. Recognize that it is not the Holy Spirit, but the flesh, or worse, and should be resisted. It frequently happened to me before I was saved, and always led to sin. It can still tempt a Christian, but praise God we have power over the flesh and seducing spirits in Jesus' Name.

Sometimes, God does lead teenage Christians to marry, like the Osborns, but both were sincere Spirit-filled Christians, so God could bless their union.

If it is no more than a romantic desire, or lust, it is certainly demonic, and will end in sin. Be honest with yourself, and ask your Heavenly Father in prayer, He'll show you. If you're not certain it is God's will, steer well clear of it.

You should also consult your parents about it too, and respect their decision.

Afraid of dying

Q: The thought of dying terrifies me, how do I overcome it?

A: Get saved, and you'll look forward to death instead of fearing it. When you become a Christian, you will have peace with God, and you will know that all your guilt was punished in Christ. Therefore you will have an inner witness of eternal life (1 Jn. 5:10-12), and lose all fear of death and Judgment.