Dear Friends,
One of the most difficult things a person can endure is to be falsely accused of a crime. When one of our friends sent us a text message stating her son had been arrested, we immediately went to prayer, asking God to let the truth be known. We believed the mom when she said her son is innocent and feared the damage the mere accusation would have on the entire family.
Sure enough, further investigation led the district attorney to drop the charges. Nevertheless, the damage had been done. The accusation alone caused his employer to put the son on administrative leave and hire a replacement, while the necessity of hiring legal counsel took a heavy toll on the family’s finances.
The day the charges were announced, the internet was abuzz with attacks from self-righteous busybodies who — although they knew nothing about the man or the facts in the case — were compelled to launch their vicious attacks. One legal firm ran ads calling for anyone who had any evidence against the accused to step forward. Thank God, the only ones to step forward were former associates who testified to the son’s character.
When she learned the charges had been dropped, our friend sent a text with the following message: “Faith is Thanking God for Your Miracle Before it Has Happened.”
Without faith and the support of a community of believers our friend would have found the false charges against her son too much to bear. She knows who she is — she is a child of a loving God.
Coincidentally, this weekend the movie Overcomer (2019 film) was released. In this wonderful motion picture, the lead character high school coach John Harrison meets Thomas, a bedridden former addict who challenges Harrison to ponder the question, “Who are you?”
Harrison lists coach, teacher, husband father — normal responses. Then, Thomas asks him if he is a Christian. In the dialogue that follows Thomas, who has become a devoted follower of Christ, helps Coach Harrison realize that how you see who you are affects everything you do in life.
So, who are you? Having seen the movie, I know the correct answer would be, “Above all else, I am a Christian.”
As a Christian, I am interested in another story about someone who was falsely accused. You may be familiar with the case.
Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.
“Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”
But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
Mark 15:1-5 (NIV)
Pontius Pilate was amazed that Jesus didn’t respond to the accusations made against him. We, too, are amazed because we know how difficult it is to keep quiet when we feel we are under attack. Whether it is a serious charge such as our friend’s son faced, or something trivial such as an offhand comment we feel hurt by, we need to pause to ask ourselves the question, “Who am I?” The best answer, no matter what the charge — I am a Christian and I know God knows the truth.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help. Psalm 56:11-12 (NLT)
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 