OFFENSES AND RECONCILIATION

Friday, July 3, 2020

OFFENSES AND RECONCILIATION

Luke 17:1-10

17 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Spiritual “combat” will, inevitably produce casualties. When that happens it is the obligation of the offended party to bring this to the attention of the offending party. Warren Wiersbe says:  If a brother or sister does sin against us, we should give a private loving rebuke. Our tendency night be to feel hurt down inside, nurse a grudge, and then tell others what happened to us, but this is the wrong approach (see Matt 18:15-20). "Speaking the truth in love" (Eph 4:15) is the first step toward solving personal differences.

           My brother-in-law is a ballroom dancer. The girls wear flowing gowns and he wears a tuxedo with “tails.” He does this for EXERCISE, and he is quite TRIM. He is very good at this and has won several trophies. BUT HE NEVER SPEAKS ABOUT THE TOES HE HAS CRUSHED – OR THE PAIN HE HAS EXPERIENCED. He just keeps dancing!

Dear Lord, when someone steps on my toes – help me to forgive and to just keep dancing. AMEN