Do you take offense easily? I do- in fact, ask any of the people I am in relationship with how quickly I am offended. I have been called “sensitive” and “touchy”. Don’t think for a moment that I mean this as a compliment to myself. I was challenged this morning, listening to a sermon (Joel Osteen, Staying Free of Offenses). [I may have posted something like this before, but the Lord has a way of bringing you back over and over to certain lessons]. I spend an inordinate amount of time plotting revenge (I confess it). I don’t mean that I sit and consciously plan systematic annihilation of the human race, or some part of it. I just know that subconsciously, if someone offends me in some way, I put a mark against their name in my soul, and when a chance comes up in the future for me to be unmerciful where I could be merciful, I am game.

Yes, it is shameful, and I am not proud of it. I make no excuses for it, either: it is my sin nature at work (and the enemy of my soul is very happy to participate). But I also know that I am not alone in this. Unfortunately, many of us are almost gleefully waiting to jump on the offense wagon. It may be that someone called me names in the playground at school, or someone forgot my birthday last year. It may be something as serious (and valid) as someone filing a lawsuit against one when one has done something wrong. But the Bible (irritatingly) is perfectly clear on the question of offense.

Mat 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you… (Emphasis mine)

Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Emphasis mine)

1Co 13:7 (Love) quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (Emphasis mine)

Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the calling with which you are called,
Eph 4:2 with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love… (Emphasis mine)
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And there are many more verses that continue in this vein.

Now this is no mean challenge for me. It is true, I acknowledge it: I am easily offended. Even if someone says they will call me, and do not call, I am offended. (Because you see my reasoning is that, why make the promise if you won’t fulfill it?) As a result of my rather high standards for the imperfect beings I am in relationship with, I am often upset, and as I said before, plotting. What I maybe never consciously realize at the time is that offense brings injury to me, too. (The word itself means a stumbling block or snare). Before long, I am angry (or upset or stressed out or anxious or feeling a twinge in the region of my old ulcers), and in real danger of doing wrong to someone else. I may even take out these negative feelings on the nearest available object or person, so spoiling not just my day, but that of the object or person :)

Act 8:21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
Act 8:23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.
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Love takes the high road. We are COMMANDED to love: Love God first, and love your neighbor. Imagine how different the world would be if we simply followed those two commandments. Loving your neighbor is also showing them mercy when they have done wrong- EVEN WHEN they show no signs of acknowledging the wrong, or of wanting to fix it. Showing mercy sometimes means forgetting or passing over or covering an offense. This is my challenge.

The Lord does give us an out after all. When there is genuine injustice done towards us, the Lord Himself will repay.

Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as far as is in you, being in peace with all men.
Rom 12:19 not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
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