OFFENSES

When you are offended, you are going ‘Off the End’ and are in danger of falling off the end of the path.

When you offend another, you are causing him to go ‘Off the End’ of the path, causing him to fall.

Causing offense to another is an offense. 

 Then He said to the disciples,

 "It is impossible that no offenses should come,

 but woe to him through whom they do come!

 It would be better for him

 if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea,

 than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Luke 17:1-2

It would be better for such a person to be completely off the path forever!!

 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine

 nor do anything by which your brother stumbles 

or is offended or is made weak.

 Romans 14:21 

Give no offense,

 either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,

 1 Corinthians 10:32 

It is a narrow path that we are asked to walk, not causing offense to anyone.

If you get offended by one who desires to purposefully offend you, you have given into your enemy’s desire and he has won over you.

When someone offends you, the natural reaction is to offend him or hit back at him in some way. Imagine a person coming alongside you on a narrow path and trying to push you off the edge. Your immediate reaction would be to push him off the edge so that you do not fall. But when such an offence is caused against you, humble yourself and willingly get on the lower pathway which is the highway of holiness. Thus you overcome offenses.

The way up goes down!

 Do not be overcome by evil,

 but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

That is what JESUS did. Although He did not need to pay the temple tax,

He got Peter to pay it, so that He did not cause an offense. Not fighting for our rights, but giving up our rights in order to not offend another is GOD’S rule!

 Nevertheless, lest we offend them,

 go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. 

And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money;

 take that and give it to them for Me and you." 

Matthew 17:27

The LORD JESUS, was destined to take up all the offences of the world upon Himself.

He paid the price for all our offenses and symbolically paid the temple tax which He did not owe!

who was delivered up because of our offenses,

 and was raised because of our justification.

 Romans 4:25

that you may approve the things that are excellent,

 that you may be sincere and without offense 

till the day of Christ,

 Philippians 1:10

Matthew 5:21-48

Don’t offend others. 

Don’t get offended by others.

Let us learn to live our lives without offense.

May the LORD give us grace to overcome all offenses!

You cannot help offending those who are against the Truth.

JESUS was an offense to the religious leaders of His day.

 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" 

And they were offended at Him.

 But Jesus said to them,

 "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country,

 among his own relatives,

 and in his own house."

Mark 6:3-4

 Jesus answered and said to them,

 "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

 The blind see and the lame walk;

 the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear;

 the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

Matthew 11:4-6

The message of CHRIST constantly made the religious leaders become offended.

The message of the cross causes offense to some.

And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision,

 why do I still suffer persecution?

 Then the offense of the cross has ceased.

 Galatians 5:11

But He turned and said to Peter,

 "Get behind Me, Satan!

 You are an offense to Me,

 for you are not mindful of the things of God,

 but the things of men." 

Matthew 16:23 

JESUS’ talk about going to the cross was an offense to Peter. When he tried to rebuke JESUS, Peter became an offense to the LORD by being an agent of Satan.

The blood of JESUS offends many.

 When Jesus knew in Himself

 that His disciples complained about this,

 He said to them,

 "Does this offend you? 

John 6:61

JESUS is the Truth.

Does He offend you?

Do His teachings offend you?

Does the message of the cross offend you?

Does the preaching about the blood of JESUS offend you?

JESUS is the Way!

JESUS is the Life!!

He paid for all your offenses on the cross.

Now He offers you forgiveness and salvation.

He calls you to take up your cross and follow Him.

He is the way to Father GOD!

He is the way to Heaven!!