Betrayal or Koinonea?

by Dr. Kluane Spake

BETRAYAL. Has it happened to you?

When you experience betrayal - it can become a violent crisis of identity. Betrayal and rejection can be overwhelming and greatly disappointing.

When betrayal happens, what do you trust? Who do you trust?

Do you wonder why it happened to you?

Do you wonder where you have failed?

Do you think wonder what to do next?

Do you hide, expecting it to happen again?

For many years as a Christian, my expectations were built on what people thought. How they reacted to me. What they did in relationship to me. It seemed that the more I tried to avoid betrayal, the more it happened. Thick heaviness in my mind spoke that all my life and hopes were over - that I could not go on.

I just couldn't believe how mean some Christians were. I'd throw my life down to serve them, and then they would come and seemingly try to destroy me. The further into ministry I went, the greater the people problems loomed.

Their mean words started to shape my responses and my expectations. My identity became built on disappointments and sorrow over what other believers had chosen to do or say. My heart was revealed.

People's opinions were more important than that of what God said for me to do. I was becoming a "people pleaser." Walking on eggshells trying to make people happy.

Here I had been trying to create unity, love, koininea, and faithfulness in relationships - and what I really created was a dependency upon people's approval.

Then, one day, while I was crying at the bathroom sink and washing my face, the Lord spoke to me. That voice was so loud that I ran around the house to see if someone had come inside. The voice of the Lord said, "YOU are acceptable to Me." Those words were revelation. These five words totally changed my life.

God accepts me today - in spite of my faults and shortcomings. He sees the end from the beginning. He pulls me into my destiny - where He is at the finished place.

What? I don't need to make them happy? I don't need them to love every thing I do? It's okay for them to make choices.

Betrayal immediately shows you where your trust is!

Moses had this problem leading Israel. They complained at ever step. God gave them water from a rock and they grumbled. There was manna from heaven and they complained - they just wanted to die in captivity instead of being freely following with Moses (Ex. 16-17). The big problem was that Moses allowed their problems to become his - and it was for this reason that he didn't succeed in bringing them into the Promised Land.

Maybe you have experienced betrayal... it happens everywhere. In fact, Jesus said that betrayal was a sign of the end times. We can't keep betrayal from happening. Jesus was betrayed countless times.

The Good News is that we can learn to ride above betrayal. We can begin to find the Lord arising out of the midst of distress. We see Him take us high above the issues of the moment. My friend... establish your identity in the Lord. He is alive in you to bring healing. You don't need to keep experiencing the pain of rejection and betrayal.

Jesus was despised and rejected FOR US (Is. 53:3). Our rejection was paid for at the cross. Just like He was crucified for our sins and we are now forgiven and free, He was crucified for our rejection and betrayal. For us to take back what He bore FOR US negates the work of the cross.

The Father turned His back while His Son hung on the cross. Jesus asked, "Why, have You forsaken me?" Then, He said, "It is finished." The ultimate rejection was finished. Jesus experienced the very worst rejection -- and He gave His life that we would not have to experience rejection. He died to give us LIFE abundantly.

Jesus says that He will never leave us and never forsake us. We will never be forsaken by Him. When Jesus said, "It is finished," He meant it. He accomplished all things for us that pertain to life and Godliness. Jesus totally took our rejection and betrayal.

Come to the place of Melchizedek empowerment. Look again and see the Glory of the Lord arise in each place of disappointment and betrayal. You are acceptable to Him.

If you are interested in learning more about life as a Christian, there are lots of books and free articles on my website at kluane.org -- just click the RSS feed on your right!

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Thanx. Your online pastor, Dr. Kluane Spake