Let me let you in on a little secret - people will offend you. At some point, someone will say or do something that will leave you saying, "Huh?" or "Well, I NEVER!" That little tidbit is probably no revelation to you.
How about this one - you will offend people. Yep. At some point you and I will say or do something that will leave others saying, "Huh?" or "Well, I NEVER!" It's easy to admit or fume when we're offended, but not so easy when we are on the offending end.
Why do I bring this up? All too often, I have seen people become hurt over something said or done within the church body. Most of the time it is not even a major doctrinal issue, but rather a slight offense to someone's ego or self-esteem. Rather than seek to reconcile the Biblical way, they merely stomp off in a huff to search for another church. The problem is there is no perfect church. Churches are entirely populated by HUMANS, who by their very nature are destined to mess up.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
As far as it depends on YOU. Simply put, you can only control your response, not someone else's actions or words.
When we are offended, our fleshly reaction is to get angry, lash back, or high tail it out of the relationship. While these reactions may be common, they are not Biblical. Instead, we are to go out of our way to reconcile. If someone slaps you, turn the other cheek. If someone takes your robe, offer him your coat as well.
One of the enemy's favorite tools to use against Christians is an offense by a fellow believer. We fret and stew, running things over in our minds repeatedly until not only have we given him a foothold, we've essentially flung the door wide open and invited him to tea. Focusing on the offense takes our focus off where it should be - what God is doing both in us and in those around us. If we are so caught up licking our perceived wounds, we will be rendered ineffective to minister to anyone else.
So brace yourself. Decide before hand how you will respond when offended and be prepared to apologize if you find yourself on the offending end. So as far as it depends on YOU, there can be peace.
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