ARE YOU GREATER THAN GOD? part two

GREATER THAN GOD, PART II

Charles E. Branthoover

I have written in the past about our inability to forgive—“I know God’s forgiven him/her, but I can’t”. Thus the question—“Are you greater than God?” There was much truth in “Greater than God”; the first letter. But I find there is much more I need to write on the subject. You see, just recently we received an eight-page e-mail blasting the church, the pastor in Colorado who was “exposed”, and a prominent, well-known gospel music entertainer for his “despicable sins” against a mother and her daughter. I was much troubled by the accusations because I know the entertainer. I was even more troubled by the reason it was sent to us and perhaps countless other “singers” around the country. I spent much time in prayer about the e-mail. It became apparent in reading it more than once and praying about it, that the writer’s intent was to expose and punish the well-known entertainer. Now let me make a statement here so there is no confusion: There are moral and legal issues that require payment in one form or another when crimes are committed. That fact is steadfast and I stand in its truth. When a crime is exposed, the perpetrator must pay for it in some way within the law; even as Moses set down the hundreds of laws given him by Jehovah God and punishment was decreed for violation of those laws. So my issue here is not with the legal end. My issue is certainly when we as individuals take it upon ourselves to effect punishment outside the law. When we spread gossip, rumors, half-truths—or even truths; when the purpose is to hurt and seek revenge—are we greater than God?Have you chosen to “play God” because God didn’t act in a timely manner to right a wrong, or punish someone who truly needs punished? When we play God and take things into our own hands, we surely, by our actions, usurp God’s will and authority, and thus do act as if we are “greater than God”. Often this is done within the legal limits of the laws of man.I am not talking here of exposing a crime and/or the criminal so that he/she can be held accountable for their illegal actions. I am talking of vindictively taking matters into our own hands beyond the law to achieve some warped sense of personal justice and satisfaction. Will Jehovah God honor you when you do this? You know the answer.

We can speak here too of frivolous lawsuits. Paul in I Corinthians 6:7 said, “Why do you not suffer yourselves to be defrauded”. He called it “a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another”. “Why do ye not rather take wrong?” Yet many who call themselves Christians enter into frivolous lawsuits for quick personal gain, or to exact a form of revenge against another. Is this not a form of “playing God”? Are you “greater than God”? Are we in His grace and will when we do so? Tough questions to be sure; but questions that need answers.

Yes it is difficult to suffer a wrong that hurts us in some way—whether financial or otherwise. It is even more difficult when it seems the perpetrator “gets away with it”. We have seen over and over again, seemingly guilty people walk from our courts of law, acquitted by some “loophole” or quirk that lets them go free. But, is it our right to take matters into our own hands, thereby denying God’s will? This too extends to “trivial” matters with a loved one, friend, co-worker, etc. We serve satan’s plan when we take it upon ourselves to seek revenge. In doing so we are truly acting as if we are “greater than God”.

Please pray on these words and see if they apply somewhere in your life. GOD IS GOD IS OMNIPOTENT GOD! In Hebrews 10:30 “vengeance belongeth to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.” “And again, the Lord shall judge His people.” Verse 31: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Be patient my friend—let God be God, and the charge will not fall to you.

Amen and Amen