September 6, 2012
How Do I Offend Thee – Let Me Count The Ways
“Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone - except God.”
- Billy Graham
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, 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 18:1-7
We live in an age where political correctness is the status quo of social interaction. It is the philosophical theory of most of those who are considered to be the great thinkers of our society, when it comes to political and social; as well as cultural issues that all individuals are free to be whatever they want to be and no one should say or do anything to offend them. And even those of us who are believers in Christ find ourselves trying to moderate our messages and the way we deliver God’s word so it is palatable and non-offensive. Yet in all of this we give no second thoughts to the degree or manner in which we might be offending God.
I often wonder if we were willing to ask God; how do, I offend thee: if His response would have to be, let me count the ways. I wonder if it indeed is not to the breadth and height and depth of a dimension that we would be shocked and stunned to know and comprehend.
It often seems so easy to offend our fellow man, that we often do it without even trying: and I wonder if maybe the greatest way we offend God is by taking Him for granted and assuming He is beyond offense because after all He is God.
Just like with those around us that we offend, in spite of our best efforts to the contrary: I am sure we will equally offend God; often without meaning to: but we must be careful and aware so that we are at least conscious that we offend Him, and then we need to give thanks that we can avail ourselves of His mercy, grace and love, which does cover a multitude of our sins.
Today’s Prayer
Father, forgive me of my offenses and help me to be equally willing to forgive my offenders proportionately, to the extent and maybe even beyond, that too which I need to be forgiven.
“I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands.
I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call “
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands.
I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call “
- Lyrics from ‘He Knows My Name’ by Tommy Walker
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