Don’t be mistaken.

“For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not" (Acts 7:25)

As I meditated on this Scripture, one word I said to myself was 'James, do not be mistaken.'  The reason is that Moses, before he attended the church in the wilderness (Acts 7:38), during his 40 years of life in Egypt, remembered to consider his fellow Israelites.  When he saw an Israelite being mistreated by an Egyptian, he struck down the Egyptian in defense (v. 24).  After this incident, Moses mistakenly believed that God had used him to save the Israelite by his own hand (v. 25).  To put it in modern terms, a pastor like me could mistakenly believe that the church has grown because of my good preaching, effective administration, good interpersonal relationships, and so on.

Of course, it would have been natural for the Israelites not to realize.  The reason is that Moses' human nature and his own abilities were displayed, rather than God's salvation work and His power.  In other words, instead of God's divinity being revealed, it was Moses' humanity that was revealed.  How could the Israelites think that God saved an Israelite who had been mistreated through Moses killing an Egyptian?  Does God's salvation come from human bloodshed?

It seems that we humans are easily mistaken.  The reason is that we do not know God well and do not understand our own nature well.  No one is truly competent.  What do we have to offer God?  We have no righteousness, no ability to save anyone, and no worth if the Lord does not dwell within us.  Therefore, if someone feels loved, comforted, and uplifted through us, it is not our doing, but the work of the Lord who dwells within us.  That is why we have no one to boast about except the Lord.

Although they may dwell in misconception, those who know the truth believe they can find freedom even in misconception. I desire to abide in the truth without being mistaken.

Even if I dwell in misconception, I believe that the Lord will rescue me from that misconception, so I remain,

James Kim

(Embracing freedom from misconception)