Who is stacking the deck?

Genesis 25; Esther 1; Matthew 24; Acts 24

We are watching American news with interest and sometimes with dismay. The impeachment trial for their president has begun. I’ve not followed much of what has gone on before, but it seems to me that both sides are telling stories and giving testimonies that are suspicious. The use of words like “seems” and “may have” and “looks like” give me clues that many of the accusations are suppositions and the people make them have an agenda. If agendas are not out in the open then the ‘evidence’ begins to sound iffy.

Part of the problem is that this president has flaws that give those who do not like him an excuse to believe anything that may or may not support their assessment. Instead of balance that looks at both the good and negative activities, some people can only see one or the other.

Acts 24 tells of a situation in the life of the Apostle Paul that would have been hitting the TV news had there been television in those days. He had been accused by the Jews of things that were supposed and iffy rather than backed with solid evidence. He was arrested and brought before the Roman procurator named Felix. The case was introduced by a lawyer named Tertullus who did so with a great deal of flattery toward the ‘judge’.

And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him (Paul), saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so. (Acts 24:2–9)

We know this was flattery because Felix had a far different reputation than this lawyer painted.

Then Paul was invited to defend himself.

Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’” (Acts 24:10–21)

Rather than being a situation of “he said, she said,” all of Paul’s defense could be easily proven. The problem was not with the truth of those accusations but the motivations of his accusers. They rejected his message, the Gospel, and because he was turning people to Jesus Christ, they rejected Paul and wanted to get rid of him.

I know this is not an exact parallel to the situation in the USA nor can the defendant be compared with the Apostle Paul, but it brings out to me that no matter the rhetoric or any pointing to laws and precedents, or whatever tactics are being used, the motivations behind it are important. Anyone who stands against anyone else does it for a reason. Unless the reasons are transparently stated, those involved in seeking justice will be challenged to know the genuine nature of the case.

How is this practical for me? First, if I am ever falsely accused, tell the total truth about everything. Don’t use flattery to try and convince others of my point of view. Challenge others but also myself to give honest evidence to what I say. Take pains to keep a clear conscience before God. Own my own motivations and encourage others to do the same.

There is more, but I’m thinking if those involved in this American trial could do even this much, it would make far more interesting news and lead to true justice rather than all the confusing sabre rattling.

Be cautious with discernment

Hosea 11:1–12:14, Acts 5:1–42, Job 16:10–22

People tell me that I have discernment, but God is telling me to be careful that I do not rely on human opinion. I need to seek Him so that my judgment of what people are thinking and doing is how He sees it.

The Bible has many examples. For instance, in the Old Testament God’s people were making sacrifices, going to their place of worship, and giving at least lip service to the laws of God. However, He looks at the heart and saw what others could not see . . .

“My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all. How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.” (Hosea 11:7–9)

These verses say that even though they called on Him, God would not answer for their hearts had actually turned from Him. He was going to deal with their sin, but determined not to destroy them. His compassion is greater than His wrath.

Imagine two ways a parent could discipline a child. One is in anger because the child’s behavior is annoying her. The other is with concern that the child becomes a better person, so the discipline is about the child’s need, not the parent’s peace of mind. The challenge is being able to discern which motivation is at work. This tells me to be careful about outward appearances. There is more going on in the heart than I can see.

In the story of Job, this broken and troubled man could not figure out why God had allowed the difficulties in his life. He was certain he did not deserve God’s wrath, but why did God allow his suffering? All Job could say was: “God gives me up to the ungodly and casts me into the hands of the wicked. I was at ease, and he broke me apart; he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; he set me up as his target; his archers surround me. He slashes open my kidneys and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground. He breaks me with breach upon breach; he runs upon me like a warrior. I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin and have laid my strength in the dust. My face is red with weeping, and on my eyelids is deep darkness, although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.” (Job 16:11–17)

This tells me that I cannot know the mind of God. Job was a righteous man whom God praised. He allowed Satan to test him, to prove that the faith God gives is sufficient even if life falls apart. God never did tell Job what was going on, but Job’s faith held. For me, trusting the Lord takes priority over trying to discern what He is doing.

In the NT reading, “a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

When Ananias heard these words, he fell down dead and great fear came upon all who heard of it. (Acts 5:1–5) Not only that, his wife came in about three hours later, not knowing what had happened.

Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.”

She repeated her husband’s lie, and Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” (Acts 5:7–9)

Verse 11 says that “great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.” That is no surprise, yet there is more to this than a warning to be truthful. The Holy Spirit knows the human heart. People might be able to fool others, even themselves, but God is not deceived. He revealed the truth to Peter so he could confront this couple.

This tells me that if I think I know what people are up to, or what God is doing, I’d better check that out with God. Discernment is a valuable gift, but things are not always what they seem.