Betrayed!

As a pastor, elder, deacon, leader, or a lay believer, if you knew someone is betraying you or about to betray you, how would you look or treat such a person? Would you treat them differently? Would your love for them change? Would you stop feeding them physically and spiritually? Would you isolate them? Would you shame them? Would you remove them from your surroundings?

When situations presents themselves, we must always look at each situation with a panoramic view. We in the flesh have a tendency to always look at another for the fault. However, there is a lesson, test, or even deliverance for someone or all the parties within the experience. We must always look and proceed with the heart and eyes of God.

When Job was presented with an extreme trial, we tend to focus on the trials such as Job experienced and what he had lost. However, whether you believe it was a test or discipline, the situation was more than for Job himself. The situation was to also save his three friends who did not act like true brothers/friends. From the point of his friends, we must realize, we, ourselves, can become like Job's friends pointing out fault and putting salt on people's wounds. However, if we are in the mist of a trial or even a discipline as Job faced, if we hold our ground (heart/lips) trusting God even though we may not fully understand the situation, souls can be saved. God is our vindicator and there is no need to defend ourselves if we are in the Truth.

The situation with Job was an opportunity to root out what was hidden in the hearts of Job's three friends. They did not properly understand or know the spiritual significance of Job's situation. They began to work for the enemy and accuse Job. The three were now speaking and judging the work of God. Everything they were saying were to their own wisdom and understanding. It must have been a torment for Job to hear his friends speak as they did. But Job still held his ground and and did not speak against God but loathed his own life.

If such a situation did not arise, the ugliness that were in the hearts of Job's three friends may not have surfaced. God's ways are higher in which we may not understand all that is happening to us. But we must be still and know He is God and to trust HIM to the end.

Job 42:7 (AMP) After the Lord had spoken the previous words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job has.

At the end, this situation was an opportunity for Job to INTERCEDE on behalf of his three friends for their lives.

Job 42:8-10 (AMP) Now therefore take seven bullocks and seven rams and go to My servant Job and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept [his prayer] that I deal not with you after your folly, in that you have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job has.9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord commanded them; and the Lord accepted [Job's prayer].10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and restored his fortunes, when he prayed for his friends; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

When we have the heart of God and when we pray for our enemies or those who may betray us and/or have betrayed us, it is through forgiving if forgiving is required and praying for them that we are restored and prayers are answered. When we have the heart of God, we will receive twice as much.

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve apostles. The Lord granted him spiritual gifts to cast demons out with signs and wonders following. Judas was also the money holder for the group. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray HIM. But yet, Jesus still broke bread and washed his feet. Jesus loved him to the end. Jesus did not have any bias feelings or suspicions against him but treated him equally and with the same love as the others even with His foreknowledge.

John 13:10-15 (AMP) Jesus said to him, Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is clean all over. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you.11 For He knew who was going to betray Him; that was the reason He said, Not all of you are clean. 12So when He had finished washing their feet and had put on His garments and had sat down again, He said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you?13You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is what I am.14If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another's feet.15For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your turn] what I have done to you.

This is the heart we must possess. We must possess the heart of God. We must stop looking at the sins and shortcomings of people but love them as the Lord loves YOU even with your shortcomings. And even if we knew someone is or going to betray us, would we still lay down our lives for them if it is required without complaining and grumbling?

The Lord has set the example. He has set the bar where your love must be. You must not only love your friends and family but even those who may betray you.  Love endures to the end.

 God bless brethren
Fire of God
Steve Yong Kim