Unoffended

 

I enjoy looking at old fashioned paintings that portray quietness and serenity of heart.

Spurgeon once wrote concerning the pursuit of peace that it can be the most difficult grace to hold onto. I agree with him.

A dear one shared an experience she had with a "friend" filling her in on the fact that she herself had been invited to participate in an activity with mutual friends which the dear one was not going to be invited to join. 

This dear lady flushed with embarrassment and replied that she was okay with that because her life was already full and busy enough.

She went on to explain how she, at that moment, had to bring her feelings of being offended to her Savior so resentment didn't take hold within her heart.

She said she thought that she was on the inside of this group of friends, but suddenly realized that she was not and now her sense of where she fit in was challenged in a painful way.

She realized that the sin of resentment or bitterness came from having pride within her own heart. 

She shared that sin can feel personal because it often is personal.

In other words, some people we share life with enjoy speaking words that purposely sting and wound.

In her heart she knew that taking offense is a powerful drug. It can become addictive and this was not how she wanted to respond.

My heart goes out to her and to anyone who is  attacked by thoughtless or unkind and unnecessary words.

I've been here....we all have.

It seems we are all vulnerable today.

Not only do we endure these slings and arrows in personal interaction, we also face persecution from the general world we live and interact within daily.

Our beliefs and lifestyle as believers can be offensive to others. Our firm convictions based on God's Word can make us vulnerable to criticism and rejection.

The embarrassment and rejection the dear lady felt from a "friend" is small in comparison with what many believers face from attacks against the faithful.

We can only lay down the offenses of others by choosing to take up this cross and follow Jesus.

He has given implicit instruction on dealing with the " hateful and spiteful" people (as the Word calls them) we come into contact with.

Here are the "rules of  kingdom life" as my Bible titles these instructions in Luke 6: 27-47......

Love your enemies

Do good to those who hate you

Pray for those who are spiteful to you

Turn the other cheek

Give to those who ask

Do to others as you want done to you

Lend expecting nothing in return

Don't judge or condemn

Forgive and you'll be forgiven

Remove the log in your own eye before removing the speck in another's eye

Remember your mouth will speak only from the abundance within your heart

Jesus said don't call Me Lord unless you are willing to do what I say.

Simple.

Difficult.

The more I walk with Jesus, the more I realize my inability.

This way of life is impossible for us.

He must live these attributes through our willing and available bodies. 

He must fill us and flow through us for our hearts to respond in this manner.

The body is always ready willing and able to harden into a rock of offended feelings filled with bitterness.

The renewed heart of Christ that beats within us longs for us to lay down these human responses and allow the life and love of Christ to respond to each person we meet with His response.

His response to suffering overcomes all.

His victory blesses all.......the offended and the offender.

He alone brings life and healing.

As our world gives into the deceit of the enemy and his program of sowing hatred, anger, discord and violence, the precious and powerful life of the Holy Spirit longs to use our human body as a messenger of the love, forgiveness and beauty of Christ.

It's our choice.

Will we be a vessel useful to the Holy Spirit?

Will we be a vessel fit for the Master's use ?

A vessel clean and ready for Him to fill and pour out upon those He brings across our path each day as 2 Timothy 2:21 reminds us?

If we belong to Him, we are expected to purify and cleanse our vessel daily.

Then as He sees fit, He fill us and pours us out into the life of others who deeply need to see the love of Christ in action.

This is costly.

It's not comfortable or easy, but it is rewarding to be our Master's available vessel.

It's a choice we make each moment of each day.

Every response should glorify Jesus.

One way I remain in peace is to consider the saints I love who have lived quiet and humble lives.....not seeking attention or conflict, they just simply remain at task and focused in their heart on Christ.

I've watched them respond in patient humility and trust in their Savior.....they are gems.

I so enjoy listening to the conversation of well weathered saints. They carefully weigh words. The little they speak relays truth and grace.....often piercing the heart of the listener. 

It's a blessing to choose the life hid with Christ in God and to go forth daily as His vessel fit and ready for His use.

And actually......it's the only life that truly makes an impact in a broken and sinful world.