Dealing with Offenses

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.

 Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Give, and it will be given to you.

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over,

will be poured into your lap.

For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:36-38

 

We’ve heard of all the cures.

Miracle drugs, diet, exercise.

There are many approaches to reducing cholesterol in our bodies.

But what about our spiritual life?

How do we reduce the impact of offenses

(that sort of spiritual cholesterol that hinders the flow of His supernatural love)

when they come, as they certainly will?

Well, the Great Physician offers us a remedy in His Word.

But like unheeded advise from a family doctor  doing no good, so too is the wise counsel of God if it is not put into practice.

Mercy instead of judgment, condemnation replaced by forgiveness – this is the prescription offered.

Yes, offered.

It is not forced upon us.

Like the doctor who makes a recommendation for a medication or lifestyle change Gods’ Word gently entreats us to choose the better way.

I can walk away from the better way – or – with God’s help, I can embrace it.

Walking away from processing offenses is a sure fire way to stop the flow of His love.

It not only impacts you but it impacts the countless others you will no longer touch with His love.

For your sake, for their sake and for the sake of the Kingdom, let’s learn how to process offenses and take the steps prescribed by the Great Physician!