Offenses (2)

"Offenses must come!" Here's another statement of fact that Jesus made when He taught on the subject of offenses. With this statement, He highlighted the reality that humans know so well: the world in which we live is saturated with offenses. Whether you want it or not, whether you cause it or not, that evil, corrosive thing called offenses will come your way. The question is, what are you going to do about it?

The very atmosphere of Eden was offense-free, until the spirit of deception, the old serpent, found a way to corrupt the heart of Eve and her husband. Outside Eden, however, offense is the order of day. Whichever way you turn, it is always making its way towards you. Like invisible radio waves, offense is a part of the fallen world - so also is the unregenerate mind of man that so easily picks them up. If only believers will operate in this life as Christ did! He chose not to tune in to the "offense channel", neither did He receive or broadcast worldly offenses. He was tuned to the Father; He spoke words from the Father and responded to earthly words in the way the Father's Spirit led Him - no matter the consequences. He did this always and never for once faltered.

The result of Christ's spiritual disposition was that provocations never provoked Him; accusations never bothered Him; misrepresentations never unruffled Him; betrayals never surprised Him. It did not matter how many times the prince of this world came to Him, nothing of this world could be found in Him.

How unlike the average believer today! We easily offend and are easily offended. Is this not an evidence that we are more attuned to the flesh than to the Spirit? Those who are led by the Spirit always, whose heart are consistently manifesting His fruit, will know the blessedness of an offense-free life. Surely, offenses must come, but we need not be the originators, receptors, transmitters or facilitators of them.

"My little children, keep your hearts from offenses" - GOD!