THE WAR AGAINST OFFENSE

Jonelle Maxwell

“Why is there so much offense among believers?”

This is a question I ask often. More so now than ever before. For the last few months, since the Pandemic, many believers are offended about almost everything. I believe, the Lord is causing us to see our own hearts and begin to make amends with one another.

📌A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
[Proverbs 18:19]

📌Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
[Matthew 18:15-17]

The other question we should ask is, “Why am I offended?”

The tactic of the enemy is to keep believers from coming together. When we come together with one mind, on one accord, we cannot be stopped. We are more effective together than we are separated.
God never intended this to be. We are the BODY and each part is needed. We can not continue to cut our own body parts off.

📌 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary. And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
[1 Corinthians 12;12-31]

So many times we hear, cut them off! I personally don’t believe this is of God, UNLESS, they are causing division. But even in that, we are still called to pray form one another. Truth is, our cutting off comes from a place of offense, unforgiveness, and bitterness. We see God ordained relationships, friendships, and marriages destroyed due to these 3 things, but mainly offense.

📌With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [Ephesians 4:2,3]

Again, I believe God is causing us to truly see our own hearts and the relationships around us. He is leaving us to other choice but to get it right with one another. In the days to come, there will be a lot of Kingdom work to do and we cannot do it all by ourselves. At least, I don’t.

Let’s look at it this way…

Let’s take a job for example. There’s many people on the job that hold positions, experiences, years, knowledge, strategy, and so forth to accommodate their position in the workplace. Not only does it accommodate their position, but the effectiveness and betterment of the company. The company cannot be successful without the other employees.

Now, just think, what if everyone became offended with one another and decided to cut each off from the business? The company will lose much time trying to replace the employees they cut off. Or, should I say, fired. Would you say it would be better to just make amends and get back to work? Of course! In that way, time and money is saved. Also, less headaches and stress.

So, let’s take time in this season to allow the Lord to remove all offenses in our hearts. Let’s make amends so we can be effective as Kingdom citizens and get to work. We have much work to do and I don’t want to do it without YOU!

📌Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. [Hebrews 12:14]