Date: Saturday June 30, 2012
Today's Chapters: Psalms 107-111
Message Title: When Offenses Come

Hello My Friend,

How many times have you ran into someone you know or went to some kind of function where the people were not Christians and you were afraid to even mention God for fear of offending someone? Did you know that less than 3% of the world calls themselves atheists, yet somehow we fear offending them? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Every where we go we are told to not be who we are as to not offend someone, yet others are free to be who they are and we are not to be offended. Well, that is the difference between Christians and those who live in the world, we do not get offended because we know who we are.

“For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” - Romans 10:3,8-11.

The word offend means to displease; to make angry; to disturb, annoy, or cause to fall or stumble. People that get offended by Christians who are just being themselves are not really offended by them, they are offended by God. There could be bitterness, anger, pride, most of it is usually that their heart is hardened, by our remaining faithful to God it could soften a hard heart. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” - Psalm 107:8-13,21.

While we as Christians should do whatever we can to not offend someone, we should never be ashamed to say that we are Christians, that Christ lives in us, and that we will not succumb to their advances. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” - Romans 14:17-23.

So what is a Christian to do that is surrounded by those who are not? Just be yourself. Be the person God made you to be, He will teach you how to present yourself, He will also teach you how to witness to people. Those who take God everywhere they go will see souls saved and be blessed through their faithfulness. “I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.” - Psalm 108:3-6,13.

From time to time we are going to face wrongful persecution for standing by our faith, and sometimes we cannot help, but be offended ourselves. That is when we need to take it all to God and let Him handle it. Jesus said, “I Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” - Matthew 18:3-7.

If anyone has a right to be offended it is Jesus, all He did was come here to bring salvation to all who believe in Him and show us how we can live a good, moral life with Him in it. More people are offended by Jesus than any other person in the world, yet He never takes offense to any of them. I do not know how many times you read about David going to God in prayer to asking Him to afflict his enemies. “When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice. Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle. I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude. For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.” - Psalm 109:7-9,28-31.

Whenever I got near someone who wasn't so respectful of my faith I would say to God, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” Lately, when I know they know what they do, I say to God, “Let me not be angry, let me not get bitter, let me be forgiving and forget what they did.” Just like Jesus said, “Offenses will come, it's impossible not to offend someone.”. No matter how hard we try to keep from offending people it happens, we cannot do anything about them, but we can do something about us. We can keep praising God, no matter where we are, and not be ashamed of who we are. Good things always come to those who are faithful to God. “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.” - Psalm 111:1-4.

Today's Prayer: God, You are my Lord and I am not ashamed to tell all who know me or talk to me that I am a Christian and that Christ lives in me. I know I have offended people and I have responded harshly to those who have offended me sometimes and I am sorry for that. While I offenses come and go by both me and others, let me never forget that through all of this people still need to be saved. Lead me and guide me, open my ears and let me know how to respond to people and when to tell them about Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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