Have you ever wondered how Jesus could have treated Judas, his betrayer, any different than the other apostles, even tho He KNEW that Judas would betray Him? None of the apostles had a clue as to which of them would be the one, and Jesus didn’t let on at all who it could be when He predicted the betrayal.
I can’t go into details, but I have an acquaintance who I know isn’t always as honest as they should be. I would like to rip off their head and spit in the hole over a situation they have created. I found out about it yesterday. I was livid and was going into my queen of hearts thinking from Alice in Wonderland again. You know the thinking “OFF with their heads!”
But the Holy Spirit caught me up quickly, almost like a dog on a leash where the master jerks the line to let the dog know they are doing wrong. I had the overwhelming presence of the Lord tell me that He didn’t treat Judas any different than the other apostles, even tho He knew what Judas would eventually do, and if I was going to shine my light for God like I ‘claim’ to want to do, this is a prime time to show it. I had to cough the strangle hold in my throat back. This is why I call myself a Jacked up Jesus Follower. I know I love the Lord, and I want to become more like Jesus each day, yet my human nature gets in the way.
So, what am I to do? Sit back and accept the unacceptable? NO…. I have taken assertive measures to make this person accountable for their actions as far as my part goes in the whole mess. However, I did it with love – kindness, patience, and peacefulness. Not hate, which is the antonym of those things.
If I’m going to shine my light, losing my temper and showing ugly anger is not the solution to this. Even tho I know of the back ground lies and manipulation, I am only to worry about MY reaction to the part I have in their life. It doesn’t mean I will trust them, or become their best friend. It just means I treat them with utmost respect because after all, they are a loved child of God also.
