Spiritual Realities #2e – The Power to be Wronged: Faith That Purifies Hearts

All About Power

courtesy Dean Williams 2012

Today, we engage in high levels of frustration, anger, and fear over disputes aggravated by a sense of justice gone wrong—and in most cases, go unsatisfied. As a result, we feel strong emotions of betrayal accompanied by a sense that we have “the right” to see justice done. Fine. But these demands so often fall upon deaf ears—and nothing really gets resolved to our satisfaction, do they?

These are stressful times and disagreements will rise up tomorrow just as surely as the sun does; and when they do, our recourse is Jesus who said, “Follow me”. He had “rights” too, remember? Yet, he chose not to exercise them (Acts 8:32; Isaiah 53.7)! So, Jesus—who did no wrong even as wrong was being done to him—didn’t open his mouth to avenge himself. Instead, he committed himself to God.

In the Greek, the word “follow” means to “be in the same way with”. Thus, Christians who follow Jesus and carry their cross, will soon experience the purpose that cross has (Matt. 16:24)! So, don’t be surprised that along our Christian journey, other believers will nail us to it! Don’t like that? Then take it up with God. By the way, did you think I was a fool for letting go of the opportunity to sue in a court of law? Bet you did.

Until we die to all “the rights” we believe we “rightly” deserve, we’ll continue to be dissatisfied Christians who quote empty words like, “Let go and let God”. In reality, we never truly “let God”; and as a consequence, our incongruous lives depict a powerless God even as we grow more and more disappointed with him.

I realize that the power to humble yourself—especially when you’re right—is not an easy power to wield. However, when God decides disputes between believers, he also purifies their hearts by faith (Acts 15:7-9). So the power that ultimately believes in God and heals the sick—right within our own wounded hearts—is the power to trust God for the “last days” atmosphere

Now, just so you don’t think it’s okay to be a victimized Christian, be aware that once we “follow” Jesus real power comes because we no longer have an egotistical, evil, and wicked heart that wields a loaded gun. We’ve passed God’s test. With pure and clean hearts, power now follows us wherever we go.

Next week: #2f – Power Because God has Your Back

Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge 1769. Used by permission. All rights reserved.