Accusation: God's Greater Plan

"He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." - Psalm 37:6

Part of growing in the faith means being tested by God. Sometimes that testing seems uncharacteristically cruel. I think one of the hardest tests comes when we are being wrongfully judged by others. In my opinion, it has to be one of the hardest things to go through and responding in love and faith is key for those in Christ. When we do this, we are following in His footsteps. The Saviour Himself experienced this harsh reality as He stood before the court of the Pharisees and government officials. His response to the government was silence. His response to the religious establishment was silence at the final judgment. To the rest of His accusers He remained quiet and left vindication to the Father.

How do you react when you are accused or mistreated for no reason? Do you listen quietly, or do you justify each and every action? Jesus knew that if we were to be true followers of His, we would enter this test eventually. It is part of the program. The workplace gives ample opportunity to be wronged, misunderstood, and maligned, but it's never harsher when it is within the Church, from brothers and sisters in Christ.

However, when God brings a measured assault against one of His children, it is to find out if he or she truly believes in the cross. The cross is where each of us is given the opportunity to die to our pride, our reputations, and our ego. When He allows these kinds of assaults, it is to find out if we believe that the cross is truly sufficient in our sufferings. He wants to know if we will seek to justify ourselves, to try to rescue ourselves, or if there are revengeful thoughts that we harbour in our hearts towards our accusers. Jesus said if we die with Him, we will be raised with Him.

When God allows satan to bring accusation, assault and unjust judgement against us, we need to cling to the cross and trust that His grace is sufficient. We need to allow the pride and arrogance that Jesus wants to remove from our lives, to be crucified and left at the foot of the cross.

As we remember the supreme sacrifice that was made on our behalf, let's thank God for the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Christ, for when we do, we are never more like our Saviour. It is only then that our righteousness will shine like the noonday sun for the justice of our cause will be in His hands