Offence
OFFENSES
MATTHEW
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
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.
4
Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
6
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.
7
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!
8
Wherefore
if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them
from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed,
rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting
fire.
9
And
if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it
from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye,
rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
10
Take
heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto
you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my
Father which is in heaven.
Offense
is defined by Mr. Webster as: commit
an illegal act. ie.
"a
small hard core of young criminals who offend again and again"
synonyms:
break
the law · commit a crime · do
wrong · sin · go astray · fall from grace ·
err · transgress · trespass
-
break a commonly accepted rule or principle.
- We tend to think offend refers to ‘hurting someone’s feelings’ and that is a kind of offense. However, Mathew, Mark, Luke and John along with those writers who elaborate upon the subject, use the word “offense” to signify a turning away from God; “Backsliding.” Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the weakness and depravity of the human heart, it is not possible that offenses will not appear among us. God does not sanction offenses but permits them for wise and holy ends. Satan is the author of offenses, as he is of all that in opposition to God’s will. But, God knows those who are sincere, and those who are not. Offending children may be revealed to all and be rescued if willing. We who do not knowingly offend must, being told before, that there will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad examples, stand on our guard. (2ND. Timothy 11:13) “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” We must, as far as is lawfull, part with what we cannot keep without being entangled by it in sin. The outward occasions of sin must be avoided. Little converts may well turn away fom serving God if our walk is crooked. Thus we will have offended one of God’s little ones. We no longer live after the flesh and have eternal life because we do not. Those who choose to cling to Satan’s false promises, must die. If we, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live a life that brings no offenses that are ‘stumbling blocks’ to others. We are to be extremely humble but still boldly put forth God’s word to a people dead in sin. God’s word is not offense generating and if one should take offense and die in sin, no charge is placed on the worker of Truth. Remember that Christ came into the world to save souls, and he will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces heavenward. No child of God should refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and to save? A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly loving of the little ones. (Matthew 13:41) “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of a living and all powerful God. Offend not and Know God, know peace. Amen. 12-16-2019 BLL
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