Some time ago I got back into running. I wish I could say it was for my health or to set a good example for my kids. Those reasons are so good and noble. But no. I am ashamed to admit my reason for getting back into running was to pound pavement. I had been very unfairly treated by someone close to me and was struggling with how to handle my hurt feelings, so I ran.
Every morning I would lace up my shoes, set the timer on my watch, and hit "play" on the recording of offense in my mind. I ran the same loop as the same loop ran in my mind ... "God it's just not fair. They did this. They said that. I feel so misunderstood" ...and on and on and on. This went on for about six months, when one day (for some reason) I decided to run the same loop in the opposite direction. With shoes laced, timer set, and my mental tape recorder going I headed out.
About halfway through the loop I came upon the sign at the front of the community where we live. This sign lists all the activities for that month. The way I was running before I had always come upon the sign head on. This time however, I came upon the back of the sign. Just black metal that was rather dusty and dirty in which someone had taken their finger and written "Let it Go!" I knew it was for me. I knew it was God trying to get my attention. I knew He had tried before and now had turned to a literal sign to get it. When I got back in the wooded trails I broke down. Crying out to God I repented of my unforgiveness. No matter how justified I thought I was, I was wrong. I chose right there by God's grace and strength to forgive my offender. I can't tell you how much lighter I felt as I finished my run home that day. I also cannot tell you all the opportunities that opened up to me after this, because the truth is God is ever merciful and faithful in correcting us. He loves us and wants to bless us, but true favor only comes as we are obedient to His commands.
A few weeks later during my quiet time with the Lord, I came across Revelation 12:10. It was the middle of the verse that stood out to me. " ... for the accuser of the brethren, he who keeps bringing before God charges against them day and night ..."
The accuser of the brethren (Satan) who keeps bringing before God charges against the brethren. All of a sudden a flood of conviction due to understanding enveloped me. All those months of pointing out the pain my accuser had caused me had turned me into an accuser of the brethren. Although innocent at the onset, now I was just as guilty because I hadn't done what God commands ... forgive and pray (Mark 11:25, Matt. 5:44). Proverbs 30:10 says "Do not slander a servant to his master or he will curse you, and you will become guilty." Jesus Himself, our example, says in John 5:45 "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father." This is because Jesus was sent into the world not to judge it but to make a way for salvation (John 3:17). Be assured judgement is coming, and that is exactly why we need salvation through Christ.
To my fellow Believers I ask this, is it possible that the Church has been deceived and manipulated by Satan? Has he laid out bait and set a trap that our flesh too easily falls for? Are we allowing ourselves to be vessels for evil rather than good? My friend, Satan is not omnipresent like God. He cannot be in all places all the time. He cannot cause havoc on earth and stand before God as our accuser at the same time. Could it be that he has cunningly enlisted the help of people, and not just any people, God's people to do his job for him? How gleeful Satan must be knowing he has tricked many! How it must grieve God to see His own people ensnared in such a hoax!
Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to "throw off every encumbrance and that sin that so readily entangles us and let us run with patient endurance the race that is set before us, looking away to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith." Church it is time to rise up. It it time to throw off the prideful sin of fault finding and finger pointing before the throne of God. It has diseased the very Body of Christ! It's time to stop the sibling rivalry. It's time to look away to the example of the Author and Finisher of our faith, the first born of many brethren. It's time to put on love. It's time to do what God calls us to do ...PRAY!
Oh Lord, may the sin of our brothers cause us to weep and pray. May we not become chained by offense and unforgiveness. May we choose love which covers instead of pride which exposes. We repent of being blinded to the truth. We repent of being manipulated and used by Satan. We thank you, Jesus that because of Your finished work on Calvary there is not a single accusation Satan can put on any who are in Christ that can't be covered by the blood. The cost of all sin has been paid. "For Whom the Son has set free is FREE indeed!" (John 8:36) We take our stand as the unified Body of Christ and watch as every chain is broken in Jesus mighty Name! Amen!
