Falsely Accused

15/09/14 11:51 Filed in: Articles

This guy recently shared something with me that many don't understand... (PG)

The other day I met a guy who made a passing comment about something abstract. I was genuinely interested so asked him questions until he shared the root.

He had recently been accused of being a pedophile - photos of his car had been posted online with descriptions of his alleged 'looking at children'. (He is a courier and was looking for a house number - but the reporters don't seem to have this information). The police had made contact and then the day before i talked to him someone had nearly rammed him off the road and then nearly physically assaulted him as shouting accusations.

As he shared about his gut wrenching experiencing and current 'living hell' I could see that this was a major deal for this man. He had told other people but they didn't get it. I was trying desperately to find the words to say - and praying 'come on God' how can I I share with him?
I just kept sympathising with him and talking until it was time to leave - he got in his van to drive away started the engine and started reversing.

The SECOND that happened as I was locking the gate the perfect thought dropped into my mind...TOO LATE! Amazing how this happens!

But the funny thing is he stopped his van & got out to wipe the reversing camera!
It's funny how in this moment it is happy and sad! This is what I wanted - but also not...oh no - what do I say how do I say it - what will he think of me?

But it is not about me it is about God - who could deny that this is what I was meant to do?
I ran back to him and started to share.

"You know that feeling of being wrongly accused? That churned up feeling in your guts?
"yes it's horrible" he nodded knowingly
"There is someone else who went through that. He was accused of all sorts of terrible things but had never done anything wrong - you've probably heard of Him"
- "No - who" - his face literally lit up - someone understood!
"His name is Jesus - He was accused, rejected, despised, spat on, tortured and killed - hung on a cross..."

I went on to share with Him why and what that meant for us. He agreed with everything I said and eventually left.

Later I sent him a message asking if he was ok & saying I was thinking of him etc.
He was very appreciative of the thoughts and shared that all was not well. It was affecting his daughters life at school as well.
I sent Him words from the Bible:

My servant grew up in the L ord ’s presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
* He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
* Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
* But he was pierced for our i rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
* All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the L ord laid on him
the sins of us all.
* He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
* Unjustly condemned,
he was led away.
No one cared that he died without descendants,
that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down
for the rebellion of my people.
* He had done no wrong
and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal;
he was put in a rich man’s grave.
* But it was the L ord ’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many j descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the L ord ’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
* When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous k servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
* I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels
(Isaiah 53:2-12 NLTSB)

I share this for people to pray for this man, but also to help encourage you share the truth of God's Word. Seriously we don't know when what we say will be used by God - but it can not be if we remain quiet.

There is not a single situation, event or occurence that the Lord is not understanding of, compassionate towards or able to use to bring more into His flock. And He wants to use us to do it!

Never. Give. Up. Share the Gospel with one person today!

Don't worry about what is right or wrong just yet - just do it. Get over the fears (if they really have you held - get ministry - go to Him to have them resolved - imagine having your life in Him controlled by hidden unresolved fears! ) as He can use anything you do for Him! Yes God is really that big.

It's all about Him!

Lord thank you for all you have done - thank you that you have shared your love with us through other people, that theyu went out of their way to tell us the truth - help us do the same. Thank you that your love is real to us and that You cared about our situations - and you still do - and that you care about the situation and destiny of those we meet. Give us your heart for the hurting and lost.

Tags: evangelism