MAY 14

Taking and Giving Offense


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 the 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 that 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.


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).
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Written by W. Glyn Evans, Daily with the King offers
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