Over the past few weeks there has been this recurring theme of offense in my personal time in the word.  As I was reading and studying this subject I realized that the principle of experiencing what you teach was exceptionally true for this topic of offense.  The fact is even yesterday I was struggling through this subject in relationships with others, and I’m sure the same is true for you as well.  Perhaps not yesterday, but at one time or another we all have either been offended or offended others.  While spending time with my mom she read to me the vignette excerpted from the daily devotional book “Daily with the King”.  It not only redirected my perspective on the subject, but it blessed and edified my soul with the knowledge and heart desires to abide with God’s will pertaining to this topic.  As you read and enjoy the following; may the Lord bless you abundantly and guide you as offenses come.

God bless

-Dan

“And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously”

1 Peter 2:23

As a disciple of Jesus Christ I must learn never to give or take offense.  Jesus said that the world constantly offends us, but we as His followers must never offend (Matthew 18:7-9).  He was so strict about the matter that He said even an eye, a foot, or a hand must be cut off rather than offend someone else.  He meant this: get rid of anything that causes offense to someone else, no matter how painful to yourself.

                Yet, as a discerning disciple, I must expect offenses to come my way.  I must be wise as a serpent (in expecting offenses), yet harmless as a dove (in giving them).  It is only natural that somewhere along the way I will offend others.  The gospel itself is offensive to many, and if I preach it faithfully I will most certainly put some people out.  But that is not the offensiveness Jesus is talking about.  He is talking about the offense that comes from an evil mind.  He is thinking about the offense that comes from an evil intention.  We cannot make everybody love us; but we can, like Daniel, force those who dislike us to say, “It’s because of his God.”

                Taking offense is a different matter.  By God’s grace I must never take offense, as Jesus Himself did not.  Regardless of how evil the intention, how vile the source of offense, I must never attribute to a person’s action a malicious cause, but rather turn my case over to God and say, “Lord, You judge in the matter.”  Thus, vengeance is safely given to Him.

                The offenseless life is a rugged discipline for the follower of Jesus Christ.  Yet the same Jesus who exemplified it perfectly on earth will not fail to continue the good work in me.  The One who said I am to be as harmless as a dove (Matthew 10:16) will not ask me to do the impossible; He will energize me for it.

Excerpt from “Daily with the King” by W. Glyn Evans