Judas

There is so much I could say, So many hurtful things that could have the power to destroy someone elses journey or path that they are tryng to walk down. Is this why I became a christain? To take shots at my family in Christ? Sometimes I get so upset, thinking that if we would just stop wasting time with the "he said she said" that imagine what we could be accomplishing for the Lord. I mean that is why we are here on this earth, right? So in the long term effect, who cares if sister so in so hurt my feelings, or maybe I hurt hers? Let me tell you why we should care and why it does matter. Bear with me because the Lord has a message to share....
If I hurt sister so in so's feelings and do nothing (or maybe I do apologize and she chooses to ignore it). Lets say she is on the path to plant the seed that the Lord will save millions with or (as Landon shared with us last Wednesday) if He only is concerned with the "one" that is lost. If I destroy her with careless words and she becomes bitter and maybe choices a different path. Whose fault is it? mine? hers? the enemy? Everyone in ministry sooner or later gets hurt by someone they thought they trusted or loved them, and I believe we are allowed to grieve for them and our relationship. Here's where I fear I will ruffle some feathers (mine included). When sister so in so comes to you and confesses of her "betrayal" as humans we are forced to recognize that she has hurt us deeply. Can we forgive and not throw it in her face every time we visit our hurt in our "closet of despair". It's easy to say I forgive you and not mean it! I am the worst at saying it's okay I am fine but the minute I see that person again. I think to myself man I can not believe they would do that to me. Forgetting that she has already come to me and said she was sorry! The only way to bring healling is to truly let it go.
Now this idea has plagued me for awhile. Judas. The one we hardly ever talk about because he was a "betrayer." I know right I bet we all just shivered. i went to a pastor about 6 months ago and began asking questions about if Judas was in heaven or hell. His immediate response was of course he is in hell, Angela, what could you be thinking. My thought has always been once you asked Jesus to be your Savior you could not get Him out of your heart. So this troubles me if Judas followed Jesus and betrayed Him was he forgiven. Now here's where the Lord has brought it home to me. WE ARE ALL JUDAS. We have all betrayed someone in the past. It says in Matthew 27:3-5
3. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." 5. So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
What if the "elders of the church had not sent him away. He went looking for a way back to redemption and was met with overwhelming condemnation. So many times we sit as judge jury and executioner on other people, wouldn't Judas have had one amazing testimony if they had offered another solution for redemption! I wonder how the story would have gone if he could have talked to Jesus before he was overcome with his guilt. So this is my pledge I am through being the elders, I am through being thought of as being a Judas, or not a John. I am what I am and what I am aiming for is just a servant or a lowly rock. Because He can use the rocks!!!
We as christains must start standing up to the enemy in battle instead of being his instruments of destruction!! If someone has done you wrong let it go. If I have done wrong to you I am asking for your true forgiveness. I refuse to let the devil have any more time on this divided destruction. Will you join me in this? Do we go forward from here victorious? I sure hope so!